Meaning of 语言
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- language
Measure word: 門|门,種|种
How to use 语言
语言 is the general word for language as a system, used when talking about languages in general or comparing them. For a specific language you usually use a name like 汉语 (Hànyǔ) or 英语 (Yīngyǔ). Example: 你会说几种语言？(Nǐ huì shuō jǐ zhǒng yǔyán?) How many languages can you speak?
Both characters have the speech radical 讠 on the left, so this word is all about speaking. 语 (yǔ) means speech or words, and 言 (yán) means to say, so two kinds of speaking together make 语言, language.
Common mistake: Learners often write 言 with the radical form 讠, but when 言 stands alone as its own character it keeps its full shape. Also, do not say 中国语言 for Chinese. Say 汉语 (Hànyǔ) or 中文 (Zhōngwén) instead.
语言 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.
语 yǔ · words · 9 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
言 yán · words · 7 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
Related words
Words that share a character with 语言.
| 外语 | wàiyǔ | foreign language |
| 汉语 | Hànyǔ | Chinese language |
| 英语 | Yīngyǔ | English (language) |
| 词语 | cíyǔ | word (general term including monosyllables through to short phrases); term (e.g. technical |
| 发言 | fāyán | to make a speech; statement |
| 语音 | yǔyīn | speech sounds; pronunciation |
| 语法 | yǔfǎ | grammar; (computing) syntax |
| 口语 | kǒuyǔ | colloquial speech; spoken language |
| 言语 | yányǔ | words; speech |
| 成语 | chéngyǔ | Chinese set expression, typically of 4 characters, often alluding to a story or historical |
| 华语 | Huáyǔ | Chinese language |
| 留言 | liúyán | to leave a message; to leave one's comments; message |
Questions about 语言
What does 语言 mean?
语言 (yǔyán) means "language" and is used as a noun.
How do you write 语言?
语言 is made of 2 characters: 语 (9 strokes), 言 (7 strokes). That is 16 strokes in total.
Is 语言 an HSK word?
Yes. 语言 is on the HSK 2 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 语言 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 语言 is written 語言.
What is the difference between 语言 and 外语?
语言 means language in general, any language at all. 外语 (wàiyǔ) means a foreign language, one that is not your native language.
Can 语言 mean the way someone speaks or writes?
Yes. 语言 can also describe someone's choice of words or style, as in 他的语言很简单 (tā de yǔyán hěn jiǎndān), his language is very simple.