Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
誾 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
誾yínrespectful; to speak gentlyx, 15 strokes, radical 言
yín(yin2) T2
  1. 1respectful; to speak gently
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

誾yín(yin2)

The character 誾 (yín) conveys the idea of being respectful or speaking gently. It is often used in contexts where politeness and gentle communication are emphasized, reflecting a cultural appreciation for harmonious interactions.

Strokes15Radical言
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, respectful communication is crucial, especially in hierarchical settings such as workplaces or family gatherings. The use of gentle language is often seen as a virtue.

Memory Tip

Imagine a gentle person speaking with respect, and visualize the character as a soft voice rising like a gentle wave (the 'speaking' radical 说 is like a wave of sound). The pronunciation 'yín' sounds like 'yin', which can remind you of a calm yin energy.

Meanings of 誾

yín(yin2)
1respectful; to speak gently
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 誾

誾Simplified
15Strokes
言Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 誾

JasonAmy

Podcast: 誾

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 誾

Usage Notes

This word is relatively formal and might not be commonly used in everyday conversation. Be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding words that have different meanings, and ensure you use it in contexts that require a tone of respect.

HSK Study Tips

Although 誾 is not part of the standard HSK vocabulary, it connects to themes of respect and communication found in HSK Level 3 and above. Focus on using it alongside other expressions of politeness and respect.

Common Mistakes

Learners often misuse 誾 with casual language, thinking it can be used in informal contexts. For example, saying '我誾地告诉你' (I gently tell you) sounds awkward; instead, use a simpler phrase without this character.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 誾

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 誾 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Etymology of 誾

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

speech

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

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 誾

  1. 1The meaning half言 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half門 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawayspeech
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

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

Want the full history of 誾? 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 誾?

Decomposition of 誾

IDS Structure⿵門言
誾Full Character
=
門men2
enclosing
言yan2
inner
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 誾?

How to say respectful; to speak gently in Chinese

“respectful; to speak gently” in Chinese is誾yín

The character 誾 (yín) conveys the idea of being respectful or speaking gently. It is often used in contexts where politeness and gentle communication are emphasized, reflecting a cultural appreciation for harmonious interactions.

When to use 誾

This word is relatively formal and might not be commonly used in everyday conversation. Be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding words that have different meanings, and ensure you use it in contexts that require a tone of respect.

What learners get wrong

Learners often misuse 誾 with casual language, thinking it can be used in informal contexts. For example, saying '我誾地告诉你' (I gently tell you) sounds awkward; instead, use a simpler phrase without this character.

Write 誾

誾

Practice writing 誾 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 誾

Words Containing This Character1
訚yínrespectful誾
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 訚 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 誾

You could say, '他对长辈说话很誾' (He speaks very respectfully to his elders).

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 誾?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.