Meaning of 暗示
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to hint; to suggest
- hint; suggestion
How to use 暗示
暗示 works as a verb meaning to hint or imply, and as a noun meaning a hint or suggestion. It often describes indirect communication through words, looks, or gestures. Example: 他用眼神暗示我别说话。(Tā yòng yǎnshén ànshì wǒ bié shuōhuà.) He hinted with his eyes that I should not speak.
暗 (àn) means dark or hidden, and 示 (shì) means to show. To 暗示 is to show something in a hidden way, so you hint instead of saying it directly.
Common mistake: Learners often mix up 暗示 (ànshì) with 提示 (tíshì). 提示 is an open reminder or prompt, like a tip on a test, while 暗示 is indirect and hidden. Also keep the fourth tone on both syllables: àn shì, not ān shì.
暗示 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
暗 àn · dark · 13 strokes
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示 shì · altar · 5 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 暗示.
| 表示 | biǎoshì | (of sb) to express; to state; to show; (of sth) to indicate; to signify; to show |
| 显示 | xiǎnshì | to show; to illustrate |
| 黑暗 | hēi'àn | dark; darkly |
| 展示 | zhǎnshì | to reveal; to display; to show; to exhibit |
| 指示 | zhǐshì | to point out; to indicate |
| 提示 | tíshì | to point out; to remind (sb of sth) |
| 示范 | shìfàn | to demonstrate; to show how to do sth |
| 暗杀 | ànshā | to assassinate |
| 出示 | chūshì | to show; to take out and show to others |
| 演示 | yǎnshì | to demonstrate; to show |
| 示威 | shìwēi | to demonstrate (as a protest); a demonstration |
| 暗中 | ànzhōng | in the dark; in secret |
Questions about 暗示
What does 暗示 mean?
暗示 (ànshì) means "to hint; to suggest; hint; suggestion" and is used as a verb.
How do you write 暗示?
暗示 is made of 2 characters: 暗 (13 strokes), 示 (5 strokes). That is 18 strokes in total.
Is 暗示 an HSK word?
Yes. 暗示 is on the HSK 4 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
Can 暗示 be used in a psychological sense, like the power of suggestion?
Yes. In psychology, 心理暗示 (xīnlǐ ànshì) means psychological suggestion, and 自我暗示 (zìwǒ ànshì) means autosuggestion, such as telling yourself you can succeed.
How is 暗示 different from 表示?
表示 (biǎoshì) means to express or state something openly, such as 表示感谢 (to express thanks). 暗示 means the meaning is implied and the listener has to read between the lines.