Skip to content
Stroke order, etymology and audio for every word.Start learning
嗫 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
嗫nièto move the lips as if speaking; hesitationv, 13 strokes, radical 口
嗫nièmove the mouth as in speakingunknown, 13 strokes, radical 口
niè(nie4)nie T4
  1. 1to move the lips as if speaking; hesitation
  2. 2move the mouth as in speaking
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

嗫(囁)niè(nie4)

The character 嗫 (niè) refers to the act of moving one's lips as if speaking, often without producing audible words. It conveys a sense of hesitation or uncertainty, as if someone is preparing to speak but holds back or is unsure. This character is commonly used in contexts related to communication and expression.

Strokes13Radical口
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, the act of hesitating before speaking can reflect a value placed on thoughtful communication and respect for others' opinions, especially in formal situations.

Memory tip

Imagine a puppet whose lips are moving (the radical for 'mouth' is at the bottom) but no sound is coming out. The puppet hesitates, just like you might before speaking. The sound 'niè' can be remembered as the puppet’s silent whisper, unsure of what to say.

Meanings of 嗫

niè(nie4)
1to move the lips as if speaking; hesitation
2move the mouth as in speaking
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 嗫 means.

About 嗫

嗫Simplified
囁Traditional
13Strokes
口Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 嗫

JasonAmy

Podcast: 嗫

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI study notes for 嗫

Usage Notes

While 嗫 (niè) may seem straightforward, it is often confused with more common verbs related to speaking, such as 说 (shuō). It's generally used in informal contexts and can convey a subtler meaning of hesitance. Be careful with the tone; the falling tone (fourth tone) can change the meaning in other contexts.

HSK Study Tips

Although 嗫 is not included in the HSK levels, understanding this word can enhance your grasp of communication nuances. Students at lower HSK levels should focus on basic speaking verbs before tackling this more nuanced term.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 嗫 with similar sounding words like 说 (shuō), leading to incorrect usage. For example, saying '我嗫了这句话' (Wǒ niè le zhè jù huà) instead of '我说了这句话' (Wǒ shuō le zhè jù huà) would be incorrect.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 嗫

Premium — Locked

Tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 嗫, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsPitch drawing+5 XP
Get Pro to unlock

Jason Explains 嗫 to you

Let me explain 嗫 for you

Make it yours

Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 嗫 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.

How well do you know 嗫?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 嗫 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.

  • MeaningFree
  • CharacterFree
  • PinyinFree
  • TonePro
  • ListeningPro
  • SpeakingPro
  • WritingPro
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Etymology of 嗫

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

mouth

Semantic (meaning)口
+
Phonetic (sound)聂
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

嗫 = 口 + 聂. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 嗫

IDS Structure⿰口聂
嗫Full character
=
口kou3
left
聂Nie4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 嗫?

How to say to move the lips as if speaking; hesitation in Chinese

“to move the lips as if speaking; hesitation” in Chinese is嗫niè

The character 嗫 (niè) refers to the act of moving one's lips as if speaking, often without producing audible words. It conveys a sense of hesitation or uncertainty, as if someone is preparing to speak but holds back or is unsure. This character is commonly used in contexts related to communication and expression.

When to use 嗫

While 嗫 (niè) may seem straightforward, it is often confused with more common verbs related to speaking, such as 说 (shuō). It's generally used in informal contexts and can convey a subtler meaning of hesitance. Be careful with the tone; the falling tone (fourth tone) can change the meaning in other contexts.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 嗫 with similar sounding words like 说 (shuō), leading to incorrect usage. For example, saying '我嗫了这句话' (Wǒ niè le zhè jù huà) instead of '我说了这句话' (Wǒ shuō le zhè jù huà) would be incorrect.

Write 嗫

嗫

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Ask Jason

Have a question about 嗫?

Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.

Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.

Word Family of 嗫

Words containing this character2
嗫nièmove the mouth as in speaking囁
嗫嚅nièrúto stammer囁嚅
Exercise 1 of 1

Words with 嗫

What does 嗫嚅 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 嗫

It describes the act of moving your lips as if you are about to speak but not actually saying anything, often indicating hesitation.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 嗫?

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.

A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.

See the Learning Lab