語 (yǔ) - Language, speech, words & to speak, to tell

語Tone 3

yǔ ｜ 14 strokes ｜ radical:

与喻

語 · yǔ

Language, speech, words;

to speak, to tell;

dialect;

proverb, saying.

Language, speech, wordsto speak, to telldialect

Usage highlights

Chinese languageEnglish languageJapanese languageLanguage and literatureForeign languageDialect

Synonyms

  • 言— speech, words, to speak
  • 话— speech, talk, words
  • 文— language, writing, literature

Antonyms

  • 默— silent, mute
  • 静— quiet, still

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • Chinese language(汉语)
  • English language(英语)
  • She speaks Japanese(日语)
  • Ancient Chinese language(古语)
  • Common saying(俗语)

Collocations

  • Chinese language(汉语)
  • English language(英语)
  • Japanese language(日语)
  • Language and literature(语文)
  • Foreign language(外语)
  • Dialect(方言)

Idioms

  • Sweet words and honeyed phrases(甜言蜜语)
  • To speak incoherently(胡言乱语)
  • Whispering sweet nothings(花言巧语)
  • To talk in one's sleep(梦呓语)
  • To keep on talking(絮絮叨叨语)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • One of the fundamental characters representing language and communication in Chinese culture
  • Appears in many compound words related to different languages and forms of speech
  • Reflects the importance of language and proper expression in Confucian tradition

FAQ