(yǔ yán) - language in Mandarin
yǔyánTraditional: 語言
Translation
language
Word origin
A compound of 语 (yǔ, speech) and 言 (yán, word, to speak), two near synonyms yoked together as the abstract noun.
- Origin
- compound
- Root
- 语 (yǔ, speech; 讠 speech radical + 吾 phonetic) + 言 (yán, word, speech)
Stroke order
语
言
Examples
。
He can speak three languages.
。
Language is part of a culture.
。
Children learn languages faster than adults do.
。
There is a language problem between us.
。
Music is the language of the world.
语言 (yǔ yán) is language in the abstract: the system, the faculty, the thing linguists study. It is the word you want for "three languages", "sign language" (手语 is the specific term, but 语言 covers the category) and "the language of music".
The trap for an English speaker is reaching for 语言 when naming a particular language. English is 英语, Chinese is 汉语 or 中文, French is 法语, and none of them take 语言. Saying 我学语言 means you study language as a subject, not that you are learning one.
It also carries a slightly formal, written flavour. In casual speech about how someone talks, 说话 or 口音 usually does the job better.
Where this fits
Used in
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语言: worksheet, infographic and listicle
Free printable study downloads for the Mandarin word "语言" (language): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
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Start your free weekThis word is part of lesson 50.