Chinese word

英语

Pronunciation

Pinyinyīng yǔ

Meaning

  • nounEnglish

Example

你会说英语吗？nǐ huì shuō yīng yǔ ma

Can you speak English?

Illustration for 英语 (English)

More examples

我在学校学英语。wǒ zài xué xiào xué yīng yǔ

I study English at school.

Core concept

A complete language system for sharing meaning in speech and writing, including the ability to use it.

Common phrases

  • 学习英语xué xí yīng yǔ

    study English

  • 会说英语huì shuō yīng yǔ

    speak English

  • 英语课yīng yǔ kè

    English class

Similar words

口语kóu yǔ: Language or expressions used in speech rather than writing.
英文yīng wén: Writing or written expression in English.
外语wài yǔ: A foreign language that is not one's own national language.

Definition in Chinese

指以英语进行口头与书面交流的语言体系与能力，既指语言本身也指使用该语言的技能。zhǐ yǐ yīng yǔ jìn xíng kǒu tóu yǔ shū miàn jiāo liú de yǔ yán tǐ xì yǔ néng lì jì zhǐ yǔ yán běn shēn yě zhǐ shǐ yòng gāi yǔ yán de jì néng

Word origin

英语 (yīngyǔ, "English") combines 英 (yīng, "England and English") + 语 (yǔ, "language"), identifying English as a language.

Usage tips

  • In English-language classrooms, English can name both the school subject and the language, so a timetable entry may refer to lessons rather than a conversation.

Other meanings

  • written Englishnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 英语课yīng yǔ kèEnglish classnoun
  • 英语老师yīng yú lǎo shīEnglish teachernoun
  • 英语水平yīng yú shuǐ píngEnglish proficiencynoun

Word lists with this word