Meanings of 瘟
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About 瘟
Podcast: 瘟
Podcast: 瘟
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AI Study Notes for 瘟
疫 (yì) — use 瘟 (wēn) when referring specifically to an epidemic or plague, while 疫 (yì) is more general for any infectious disease.
Be cautious when using 瘟 in formal contexts, as it may sound alarmist. It often appears in compound words like 瘟疫 (wēnyì, epidemic) or 流感瘟 (liúgǎn wēn, flu epidemic). Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding words, as tone errors can change meaning.
Although 瘟 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it can be useful for learners at higher levels interested in health topics. Focus on its usage with medical terms and its context in discussions about public health.
Learners often confuse 瘟 with 病 (bìng, illness) or 感冒 (gǎnmào, cold), using it inappropriately for less severe ailments. For example, saying '我有瘟' (I have a plague) instead of '我感冒了' (I have a cold) is incorrect.
Pronunciation of 瘟
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Jason Explains 瘟 to You
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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.
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Etymology of 瘟
sickness
Origin
瘟 = 疒 + 昷. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 瘟
Parts
Which of these is part of 瘟?
How to say epidemic, plague, pestilence in Chinese
“epidemic, plague, pestilence” in Chinese is瘟
The character 瘟 (wēn) refers to an epidemic or plague, typically associated with widespread disease affecting a large number of people. It is used in both medical contexts and discussions about public health, emphasizing the severity and contagious nature of the illness.
When to use 瘟
Be cautious when using 瘟 in formal contexts, as it may sound alarmist. It often appears in compound words like 瘟疫 (wēnyì, epidemic) or 流感瘟 (liúgǎn wēn, flu epidemic). Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding words, as tone errors can change meaning.
瘟 or something close to it
疫 (yì) — use 瘟 (wēn) when referring specifically to an epidemic or plague, while 疫 (yì) is more general for any infectious disease.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 瘟 with 病 (bìng, illness) or 感冒 (gǎnmào, cold), using it inappropriately for less severe ailments. For example, saying '我有瘟' (I have a plague) instead of '我感冒了' (I have a cold) is incorrect.
Write 瘟
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Practice writing 瘟 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 瘟
瘟 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). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
狗必须接种犬____热疫苗。
Dogs must be vaccinated against distemper.
Example Sentences for 瘟 (1)
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Word Family of 瘟
Words with 瘟
What does 瘟疫 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 瘟
瘟 refers specifically to epidemics or plagues, while 疫 (yì) generally refers to infectious diseases, often in a more clinical context.
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