囈 (yì) - To talk in one's sleep & to speak nonsense

囈Tone 4

yì ｜ 21 strokes ｜ radical:

一懿

囈 · yì

To talk in one's sleep;

to speak nonsense;

to babble deliriously.

To talk in one's sleepto speak nonsenseto babble deliriously.

Usage highlights

Talk in sleepDelirious speechSleepDream babbleRaving nonsenseFeverish ravings

Synonyms

  • 梦话— sleep-talking
  • 呓语— variant form with same meaning

Antonyms

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He was talking in his sleep (说囈语).
  • The feverish patient babbled nonsense (发囈语).
  • Don't pay attention to his ravings (囈语).

Collocations

  • Talk in sleep(说囈语)
  • Delirious speech(发囈语)
  • Sleep-talking(囈语)
  • Dream babble(梦囈)
  • Raving nonsense(狂囈)
  • Feverish ravings(热病囈语)

Idioms

  • Talking nonsense like a dream(痴人说梦囈)
  • Dream talk and idle chatter(梦囈闲谈)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Traditionally associated with states of altered consciousness, illness, or spiritual possession.
  • In literature, used to describe meaningless or incoherent speech, often with negative connotations.
  • Sometimes used metaphorically for political or social commentary describing empty promises or nonsensical rhetoric.

FAQ