Chinese word

寓言

Pronunciation

Pinyinyù yán

Meaning

  • nounfable

Example

老师给我们讲了一个寓言。lǎo shī gěi wǒ men jiǎng le yí gè yù yán

The teacher told us a fable.

Illustration for 寓言 (fable)

More examples

许多寓言通过动物角色传达道德教训。xǔ duō yù yán tōng guò dòng wù jué sè chuán dá dào dé jiào xùn

Many fables convey moral lessons through animal characters.

Core concept

A compact story in which people or animals carry a lesson about life beyond the events themselves.

Common phrases

  • 动物寓言dòng wù yù yán

    animal fable

  • 寓言作品yù yán zuò pǐn

    fable work

  • 儿童寓言ér tóng yù yán

    children's fable

Similar words

故事gù shì: A narrative that recounts real or fictional events in sequence.
传说chuán shuō: A traditional tale passed down through generations, blending remembered events with legend.
童话tóng huà: A children's tale featuring imaginary characters or events for enjoyment or a lesson.

Definition in Chinese

用短小的故事借人物或动物的行为隐含道德或人生教训，情节简洁、寓意明确。yòng duán xiǎo de gù shì jiè rén wù huò dòng wù de xíng wéi yǐn hán dào dé huò rén shēng jiào xùn qíng jié jiǎn jié yù yì míng què

Word origin

寓 (yù, "to lodge or place temporarily") + 言 (yán, "words") presents the idea of a message lodged inside a story instead of stated directly.

Usage tips

  • In everyday discussion, the word may frame an event as a warning or lesson through symbolism rather than describe a literal story.

Other meanings

  • parablenoun

Opposites

  • 真实故事zhēn shí gù shìtrue storynoun

Related words

  • 寓言家yù yán jiāfabulistnoun

Word lists with this word