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呻 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
呻shēngroanv, 8 strokes, radical 口, rank #61674, Very Hard
呻shēnto moan, to groan; to chantv, 8 strokes, radical 口, rank #61674, Very Hard
shēn(shen1) T1
  1. 1groan
  2. 2to moan, to groan; to chant
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

呻shēn(shen1)

The character 呻 (shēn) means to groan or moan, often indicating discomfort, pain, or a release of emotion. It can also refer to sounds made during chanting or expressing deep feelings, typically in a more informal context. This word is commonly used to convey a sense of suffering or a deep emotional release.

Strokes8Radical口Frequency#61674DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, expressing emotions through sounds like groans or moans can be a way to release tension and signify vulnerability, especially in traditional contexts such as opera or folk performances.

Memory Tip

Imagine a person in a quiet room, letting out a long, deep 'shēn' as they express their feelings. The character 呻 looks like a person with an open mouth (口) making a sound, and the sound itself can remind you of a low, drawn-out moan.

Meanings of 呻

shēn(shen1)
1groan
2to moan, to groan; to chant
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 呻

呻Simplified
8Strokes
口Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#61674Frequency Rank

Podcast: 呻

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Podcast: 呻

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AI Study Notes for 呻

Quick Contrast

呻吟 (yín) vs 呻吟 (shēn yín): Use 呻 (shēn) for informal expressions of discomfort or emotion, while 哭 (kū) is more about crying or weeping.

Usage Notes

Be cautious not to confuse 呻 with similar-sounding words that might imply different meanings. It is generally used in informal contexts, so avoid using it in formal writing. Common collocations include phrases related to pain or emotional expressions.

HSK Study Tips

Although not included in the HSK levels, understanding 呻 can enhance your vocabulary related to emotions and sensations. Focus on how it connects with other words that express feelings or sounds, like 哭 (to cry) or 笑 (to laugh), to create a more expressive language use.

Common Mistakes

Learners often misuse 呻 in formal contexts, where it may seem inappropriate. For example, using it in a business meeting to express discomfort would be incorrect; instead, use a more formal phrase like 表达痛苦 (biǎodá tòngkǔ) meaning 'to express pain'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 呻

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Etymology of 呻

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 口 represents the meaning and 申 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

mouth

Semantic (meaning)口
+
Phonetic (sound)申
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 呻

Phonosemantic compound. 口 represents the meaning and 申 represents the sound.

  1. 1The meaning half口 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half申 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaymouth
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 呻? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 呻?

Decomposition of 呻

IDS Structure⿰口申
呻Full Character
=
口kou3
left
申Shen1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 呻?

How to say groan in Chinese

“groan” in Chinese is呻shēn

The character 呻 (shēn) means to groan or moan, often indicating discomfort, pain, or a release of emotion. It can also refer to sounds made during chanting or expressing deep feelings, typically in a more informal context. This word is commonly used to convey a sense of suffering or a deep emotional release.

When to use 呻

Be cautious not to confuse 呻 with similar-sounding words that might imply different meanings. It is generally used in informal contexts, so avoid using it in formal writing. Common collocations include phrases related to pain or emotional expressions.

呻 or something close to it

呻吟 (yín) vs 呻吟 (shēn yín): Use 呻 (shēn) for informal expressions of discomfort or emotion, while 哭 (kū) is more about crying or weeping.

What learners get wrong

Learners often misuse 呻 in formal contexts, where it may seem inappropriate. For example, using it in a business meeting to express discomfort would be incorrect; instead, use a more formal phrase like 表达痛苦 (biǎodá tòngkǔ) meaning 'to express pain'.

Write 呻

呻

Practice writing 呻 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Word Family of 呻

Words Containing This Character3
呻吟shēnyínto moan
无病呻吟to moan about imaginary illness無病呻吟
呻shēngroan
Exercise 1 of 3

Compound Meaning

What does 呻吟 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 呻

Yes, it is used to describe emotional expressions, especially in informal situations.

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