Chinese word

语言

Pronunciation

Pinyinyǔ yán

Meaning

  • nounlanguage

Example

他会三种语言。tā huì sān zhǒng yǔ yán

He can speak three languages.

Illustration for 语言 (language)

More examples

请用简单的语言说明这个问题。qǐng yòng jiǎn dān de yǔ yán shuō míng zhè ge wèn tí

Please explain this problem in simple language.

Core concept

A shared system of sounds, words, and patterns for expressing thoughts and communicating.

Common phrases

  • 会说语言huì shuō yǔ yán

    be able to speak a language

  • 学一门语言xué yì mén yǔ yán

    learn a language

Similar words

话huà: Spoken words used to communicate with others or take part in a conversation.
口语kóu yǔ: The form of language used in conversation and other speaking situations.
文字wén zì: Symbols or characters that represent spoken words and express meaning in writing.
方言fāng yán: The special speech patterns and vocabulary used by people in one region.

Definition in Chinese

表示由词汇、语法和发音等要素构成、用于交流和表达思想的系统。biǎo shì yóu cí huì yú fǎ hé fā yīn děng yào sù gòu chéng yòng yú jiāo liú hé biǎo dá sī xiǎng de xì tǒng

Word origin

语言 (yǔyán, "language") combines 语 (yǔ, "speech") and 言 (yán, "words"), pairing two ideas about expression to name an organized means of communication.

Usage tips

  • Chinese often uses a measure word before this noun when counting languages, whereas English normally says "three languages" without one.

Other meanings

  • speechnoun

Related words

  • 语言课yǔ yán kèlanguage classnoun
  • 语言能力yǔ yán néng lìlanguage abilitynoun

Word lists with this word