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言语 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
言语yányǔwordsHSK 6, unknown, 16 strokes, rank #6776, Hard
言语yányǔto speakHSK 6, unknown, 16 strokes, rank #6776, Hard
言语yányǔspeechHSK 6, unknown, 16 strokes, rank #6776, Hard
言语yányǔto tellHSK 6, unknown, 16 strokes, rank #6776, Hard
言语yányǔ(spoken) languageHSK 6, unknown, 16 strokes, rank #6776, Hard
言语yányuwordsHSK 6, unknown, 16 strokes, rank #6776, Hard
言语yányuto speakHSK 6, unknown, 16 strokes, rank #6776, Hard
言语yányuspeechHSK 6, unknown, 16 strokes, rank #6776, Hard
言语yányuto tellHSK 6, unknown, 16 strokes, rank #6776, Hard
言语yányu(spoken) languageHSK 6, unknown, 16 strokes, rank #6776, Hard
yányǔ(yan2yu3)yan yu
primary
T2
  1. 1words
  2. 2to speak
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March 24, 2026

言语(言語)yányǔ(yan2yu3)

言语 (yán yǔ) refers to spoken language or speech. It encompasses the act of speaking as well as the words themselves. This term is commonly used when discussing communication and can imply both formal and informal contexts.

Strokes16Frequency#6776DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the importance of effective communication is highly valued, and the concept of 言语 reflects this. It is often emphasized in education and public speaking, where mastery of language is seen as a mark of intelligence and respect.

Memory Tip

Think of 言 (yán) as representing 'speech' with its radical for 'words' and 语 (yǔ) as 'language', which looks like a person talking. Imagine a person passionately telling a story, emphasizing the importance of words in communication.

Meanings of 言语

yányǔ(yan2yu3)
primary
1words
2to speak
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 言语

言语Simplified
言語Traditional
16Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2

Podcast: 言语

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Podcast: 言语

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AI Study Notes for 言语

Quick Contrast

言辞 (yáncí) refers more specifically to the choice of words or expressions used in speech, while 言语 (yányǔ) encompasses a broader concept of spoken language.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 言语 with 语言 (yǔyán), which specifically refers to 'language' in a broader sense, including written forms. The term can be used in both formal and informal settings but is more common in discussions about communication skills or language studies.

HSK Study Tips

While 言语 is not specifically listed in HSK vocabulary, it relates closely to other HSK words like 说 (shuō - to speak) and 语 (yǔ - language). Students should focus on understanding the context in which 言语 is used, particularly in discussions about language and communication.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 言语 with 语言. For example, saying '我学言语' (I study speech) instead of '我学语言' (I study language) can lead to misunderstanding. Remember, 言语 emphasizes spoken communication.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 言语

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Jason Explains 言语 to You

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How Well Do You Know 言语?

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Learning Lab

Knowing 言语 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.

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Component Characters

言yánwords
7 strokes言
View full entry
语yǔdialect
HSK 79 strokes讠
View full entry

How to say words in Chinese

“words” in Chinese is言语yányǔ

言语 (yán yǔ) refers to spoken language or speech. It encompasses the act of speaking as well as the words themselves. This term is commonly used when discussing communication and can imply both formal and informal contexts.

When to use 言语

Be careful not to confuse 言语 with 语言 (yǔyán), which specifically refers to 'language' in a broader sense, including written forms. The term can be used in both formal and informal settings but is more common in discussions about communication skills or language studies.

言语 or something close to it

言辞 (yáncí) refers more specifically to the choice of words or expressions used in speech, while 言语 (yányǔ) encompasses a broader concept of spoken language.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 言语 with 语言. For example, saying '我学言语' (I study speech) instead of '我学语言' (I study language) can lead to misunderstanding. Remember, 言语 emphasizes spoken communication.

Write 言语

言
语

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

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Frequently Asked Questions about 言语

言语 refers specifically to spoken language and speech, while 语言 encompasses all forms of language, including both spoken and written.

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