Skip to content
Stroke order, etymology and audio for every word.Start learning
痖 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
痖yǎdumb, muteg, 11 strokes, radical 疒
痖yǎmute, incapable of speechunknown, 11 strokes, radical 疒
痖yǎsame as 啞|哑[ya3]unknown, 11 strokes, radical 疒
yǎ(ya3)ya T3
  1. 1dumb, mute
  2. 2mute, incapable of speech
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

痖(瘂)yǎ(ya3)

The character 痖 (yǎ) primarily means 'dumb' or 'mute,' referring to someone who is unable to speak. It is often used in more formal or literary contexts, and its usage can convey a sense of incapacity related to speech, distinguishing it from more casual terms for being silent.

Strokes11Radical疒
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, being mute or having speech difficulties is often linked to deep social implications, such as the challenges faced in communication and social integration. This character reflects historical views on speech and disability, linking to the importance of communication in Chinese society.

Memory tip

Imagine a person with a sore throat (the radical 疒 indicates illness) who wants to speak but cannot—this visual helps connect the character's meaning of being unable to speak with the pronunciation 'yǎ'. Picture them in a silent room, yearning to express themselves but restrained by their affliction.

Meanings of 痖

yǎ(ya3)
1dumb, mute
2mute, incapable of speech
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 痖 means.

About 痖

痖Simplified
瘂Traditional
11Strokes
疒Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 痖

JasonAmy

Podcast: 痖

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI study notes for 痖

Usage Notes

While 痖 is synonymous with 啞 (yǎ), it is less commonly used in everyday conversation, which can lead to confusion. Learners might mistakenly use it in informal contexts; thus, it's best reserved for literary or formal settings. Note that it is pronounced with a falling tone, which can be tricky for learners.

HSK Study Tips

Although 痖 is not part of the HSK vocabulary lists, its connection to 啞 (which is at HSK 3) can help learners understand nuances of mute-related vocabulary. Focus on recognizing its formal usage and differentiating it from more casual terms.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 痖 with the more common 啞. For example, using 痖 in casual conversation might sound overly formal. It's best to use 啞 in daily interactions.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 痖

Premium — Locked

Tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 痖, 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 痖 to you

Let me explain 痖 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 痖 through them.

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

How well do you know 痖?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 痖 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 痖

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

sickness

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

Origin

痖 = 疒 + 亚. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 痖

IDS Structure⿸疒亚
痖Full character
=
疒ne4
enclosing
亚ya4
inner
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 痖?

How to say dumb, mute in Chinese

“dumb, mute” in Chinese is痖yǎ

The character 痖 (yǎ) primarily means 'dumb' or 'mute,' referring to someone who is unable to speak. It is often used in more formal or literary contexts, and its usage can convey a sense of incapacity related to speech, distinguishing it from more casual terms for being silent.

When to use 痖

While 痖 is synonymous with 啞 (yǎ), it is less commonly used in everyday conversation, which can lead to confusion. Learners might mistakenly use it in informal contexts; thus, it's best reserved for literary or formal settings. Note that it is pronounced with a falling tone, which can be tricky for learners.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 痖 with the more common 啞. For example, using 痖 in casual conversation might sound overly formal. It's best to use 啞 in daily interactions.

Write 痖

痖

Practice writing 痖 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 痖?

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 痖

Words containing this character1
痖yǎsame as 啞|哑[yǎ]瘂

Frequently asked questions about 痖

No, 痖 is more formal and is not commonly used in everyday speech. Instead, 啞 (yǎ) is preferred.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 痖?

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