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噤 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
jìnclose; quiet, silentn, 16 strokes, radical 口, Very Hard
jìnunable to speakunknown, 16 strokes, radical 口, Very Hard
jìn(jin4) T4
  1. 1close; quiet, silent
  2. 2unable to speak
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March 24, 2026

jìn(jin4)

The character 噤 (jìn) primarily means 'to be silent' or 'to close one's mouth.' It is often used in contexts where silence is required or when someone is unable to speak, emphasizing a state of quietness or restraint in communication. This character can be used in both literal and figurative senses, such as in discussions about discretion or the importance of silence in certain situations.

Strokes16RadicalFrequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, silence is often valued in communication, especially in formal or respectful discussions. The concept of 噤 can be linked to the importance of listening over speaking, reflecting cultural values around humility and restraint.

Memory Tip

Imagine a person (口 - mouth) trying to speak but a large 'silencing' hand (the radical 噤) is pressing down over their mouth, symbolizing the act of closing or being quiet. Associate the sound 'jìn' with 'jinx' – a time when you might want to keep silent to avoid bad luck.

Meanings of 噤

jìn(jin4)
1close; quiet, silent
2unable to speak
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 噤

Simplified
16Strokes
Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 噤

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AI Study Notes for 噤

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a person (口 - mouth) trying to speak but a large 'silencing' hand (the radical 噤) is pressing down over their mouth, symbolizing the act of closing or being quiet. Associate the sound 'jìn' with 'jinx' – a time when you might want to keep silent to avoid bad luck.

Usage Notes

This character is relatively formal and may not be commonly used in everyday conversation. Learners should be cautious about using 噤 in casual contexts where simpler words for 'quiet' or 'silent' are more appropriate. Additionally, it is important to ensure correct tone pronunciation as 'jìn' (fourth tone) can change the meaning entirely if mispronounced.

HSK Study Tips

Although 噤 is not part of the official HSK levels, it can be connected to words related to silence or quietness found in HSK vocabulary. Students at this level should focus on the nuances of silence in communication and practice using 噤 in appropriate contexts to enhance their understanding of tone and meaning.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, silence is often valued in communication, especially in formal or respectful discussions. The concept of 噤 can be linked to the importance of listening over speaking, reflecting cultural values around humility and restraint.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 噤 with similar-sounding characters that have different meanings. For example, using 噤 when they mean 'to be quiet' in a casual context can come off as overly formal; a better choice would be 安静 (ān jìng).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 噤

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Etymology of 噤

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory Hint

Forbidden 禁 to speak 口; 禁 also provides the pronunciation

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 噤?

Decomposition of 噤

IDS Structure⿰口禁
Full Character
=
kou3
left
jin1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 噤?

Write 噤

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

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Grammar Patterns of 噤

噤 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 1

Complete the Sentence

他转过头看着这个____若寒蝉的女孩,又重复了一遍他的问题。

He looked back at the abject, silent girl and repeated his question.

Example Sentences for 噤 (1)

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1
他转过头看着这个噤若寒蝉的女孩,又重复了一遍他的问题。

tā zhuǎn guò tóu kàn zháo zhè gè jìn ruò hán chán de nǚ hái, , yòu zhòng fù le yī biàn tā de wèn。

He looked back at the abject, silent girl and repeated his question.

Cultural Notes for 噤

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, silence is often valued in communication, especially in formal or respectful discussions. The concept of 噤 can be linked to the importance of listening over speaking, reflecting cultural values around humility and restraint.

Word Family of 噤

Words Containing This Character3
噤若寒蝉to keep quiet out of fear (idiom)噤若寒蟬
寒噤a shiver
jìnsilent
Exercise 1 of 3

Compound Meaning

What does 噤若寒蝉 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 噤

You can say 噤声 (jìn shēng) which means 'to keep silent' or 'to be quiet.'