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March 24, 2026
影yǐng(ying3)
The character 影 (yǐng) primarily refers to 'shadow' or 'image,' and is commonly used to denote photographs and films. It encompasses both visual representations, such as pictures and reflections, and metaphorical meanings, such as traces or influences left by something.
Strokes15Radical彡Frequency#2756DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, shadows and reflections are often associated with concepts of duality and the unseen, as seen in traditional art and literature. The word 影 is frequently used in cinematic contexts, reflecting the importance of film as a cultural medium.
Memory Tip
Imagine a shadow (影) cast by a tall tree, where the sun creates a distinctly clear image. The character has the radical for 'shadow' (影) which resembles a figure in the dark, helping you remember that it relates to images and reflections.
Meanings of 影
yǐng(ying3)
1picture
2image
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 影 means.
About 影
影Simplified
15Strokes
彡Radical
名动词dòngcíverb-noun (v.-n.)Part of Speech
#2756Frequency Rank
Podcast: 影
Podcast: 影
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AI Study Notes for 影
Quick Contrast
影 (shadow/image) vs 像 (likeness/image) — use 影 for shadows or reflections, while 像 emphasizes resemblance or similarity.
Usage Notes
While 影 can denote both physical and metaphorical shadows, learners often confuse it with similar characters like 像 (xiàng), which means 'to resemble.' It is used in both formal and informal contexts, especially in discussions about media, photography, and art.
HSK Study Tips
影 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list but is relevant for learners interested in media and visual arts. Students should focus on its use in compound words like 电影 (diànyǐng, movie) and 照片 (zhàopiàn, photograph) to enhance vocabulary.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 影 in contexts where 像 would be more appropriate, such as saying '他影我' (tā yǐng wǒ) instead of '他像我' (tā xiàng wǒ), which means 'he resembles me.' Remember to use 影 for shadows and images rather than resemblance.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 影
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How Well Do You Know 影?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 影 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
影 = 彡 + 景. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 影
IDS Structure⿰景彡
影Full Character
=
景Jing3
left
彡shan1
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 影?
How to say picture in Chinese
“picture” in Chinese is影yǐng
The character 影 (yǐng) primarily refers to 'shadow' or 'image,' and is commonly used to denote photographs and films. It encompasses both visual representations, such as pictures and reflections, and metaphorical meanings, such as traces or influences left by something.
When to use 影
While 影 can denote both physical and metaphorical shadows, learners often confuse it with similar characters like 像 (xiàng), which means 'to resemble.' It is used in both formal and informal contexts, especially in discussions about media, photography, and art.
影 or something close to it
影 (shadow/image) vs 像 (likeness/image) — use 影 for shadows or reflections, while 像 emphasizes resemblance or similarity.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly use 影 in contexts where 像 would be more appropriate, such as saying '他影我' (tā yǐng wǒ) instead of '他像我' (tā xiàng wǒ), which means 'he resembles me.' Remember to use 影 for shadows and images rather than resemblance.
Write 影
影
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Practice writing 影 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 影
影 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 8 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.
