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喑 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
喑yīndumb, mute; the sobbing of an infantv, 12 strokes, radical 口
yīn(yin1)yin T1
  1. 1dumb, mute; the sobbing of an infant
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March 24, 2026

喑yīn(yin1)

The character 喑 (yīn) primarily means 'dumb' or 'mute,' often used to describe a person who cannot speak. It can also refer to the soft, sobbing sounds made by an infant, suggesting a sense of helplessness or vulnerability. This term is typically used in more literary or formal contexts rather than everyday conversation.

Strokes12Radical口
Cultural note

In traditional Chinese culture, the idea of silence often carries significant weight, symbolizing contemplation or sadness, which is reflected in the word 喑. This can be seen in poetry and literature, where silence can evoke deep emotions.

Memory tip

Imagine a baby (infant) quietly crying without making much noise, embodying the essence of being mute. The character 喑 has a mouth (口) inside it, suggesting a 'silent mouth' that can't express words. This visual can help you remember both the meaning and pronunciation.

Meanings of 喑

yīn(yin1)
1dumb, mute; the sobbing of an infant
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 喑 means.

About 喑

喑Simplified
12Strokes
口Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

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Podcast: 喑

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AI study notes for 喑

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 喑 with similar-sounding words like 哑 (yǎ), which also means 'mute' but is more commonly used. It is important to note that 喑 carries a more literary tone, so it's best suited for formal writing or discussions. Pay attention to the tone; using the wrong one can change the meaning entirely.

HSK Study Tips

Although 喑 is not included in the HSK levels, it can help learners understand words related to sound and silence, such as 听 (tīng – to listen) and 说 (shuō – to speak). Focus on the context in which this word is used to appreciate its nuances better.

Common Mistakes

Learners may mistakenly use 喑 in everyday conversation, thinking it is a common synonym for mute. Instead, use 哑 (yǎ) for more casual contexts, as 喑 is more literary and formal.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 喑

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Etymology of 喑

Formation typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory hint

mouth

Semantic (meaning)口
+
Phonetic (sound)音
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

喑 = 口 + 音. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 喑

IDS Structure⿰口音
喑Full character
=
口kou3
left
音yin1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 喑?

How to say dumb, mute; the sobbing of an infant in Chinese

“dumb, mute; the sobbing of an infant” in Chinese is喑yīn

The character 喑 (yīn) primarily means 'dumb' or 'mute,' often used to describe a person who cannot speak. It can also refer to the soft, sobbing sounds made by an infant, suggesting a sense of helplessness or vulnerability. This term is typically used in more literary or formal contexts rather than everyday conversation.

When to use 喑

Learners often confuse 喑 with similar-sounding words like 哑 (yǎ), which also means 'mute' but is more commonly used. It is important to note that 喑 carries a more literary tone, so it's best suited for formal writing or discussions. Pay attention to the tone; using the wrong one can change the meaning entirely.

What learners get wrong

Learners may mistakenly use 喑 in everyday conversation, thinking it is a common synonym for mute. Instead, use 哑 (yǎ) for more casual contexts, as 喑 is more literary and formal.

Write 喑

喑

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

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Word Family of 喑

Words containing this character3
喑yīnmute
喑哑yīnyǎhoarse喑啞
万马齐喑wànmǎqíyīnan atmosphere of political oppression萬馬齊喑
Exercise 1 of 2

Words with 喑

What does 喑哑 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 喑

While both mean 'mute,' 喑 is more literary and can evoke a sense of vulnerability, whereas 哑 is more commonly used in everyday language.

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