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March 24, 2026
影响(影響)yǐngxiǎng(ying3xiang3)
影响 (yǐngxiǎng) refers to the ability to have an effect on someone or something. It is commonly used in contexts involving social interactions, decisions, and outcomes, often with a connotation of affecting something negatively or distorting it.
Strokes24Frequency#983DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of influence is significant in social relationships, where one's actions can greatly affect family harmony or community reputation. The idea of 'face' (面子) is closely tied to how one's influence is perceived in society.
Memory Tip
Imagine a giant '影' (shadow) looming over a person, making them feel '响' (sound) of its presence. The shadow represents the influence, while the loud sound signifies the effect it has on the person's life.
Meanings of 影响
yǐngxiǎng(ying3xiang3)
1influence
2effect
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About 影响
影响Simplified
影響Traditional
24Strokes
—Radical
名动词dòngcíverb-noun (v.-n.)Part of Speech
#983Frequency Rank
股Measure Word
HSK 2.0L3HSK 3.0L3ElementaryTOCFLL2HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 影响
Podcast: 影响
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AI Study Notes for 影响
Quick Contrast
影响 (yǐngxiǎng) vs 作用 (zuòyòng): 影响 emphasizes the effect on someone or something, often with a negative connotation, while 作用 focuses on the function or role something plays.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 影响 with 作用 (zuòyòng), which refers to a function or role rather than influence. In formal writing, you might encounter it in discussions about social issues or scientific studies. It's often used in negative contexts, such as '影响了我们的决定' (affected our decision).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 3 word, 影响 connects with other words like 影响力 (influence power) and 影响者 (influencer). Focus on using it in sentences to express how one thing can affect another, which is a common structure in Chinese.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 影响 with the more neutral term 作用. For example, saying '这个政策没有影响' (This policy has no influence) might be incorrect if the intent was to say it has no effect, which should be '这个政策没有作用'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 影响
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影响 (yǐngxiǎng) refers to the ability to have an effect on someone or something. It is commonly used in contexts involving social interactions, decisions, and outcomes, often with a connotation of affecting something negatively or distorting it.
When to use 影响
Be careful not to confuse 影响 with 作用 (zuòyòng), which refers to a function or role rather than influence. In formal writing, you might encounter it in discussions about social issues or scientific studies. It's often used in negative contexts, such as '影响了我们的决定' (affected our decision).
影响 or something close to it
影响 (yǐngxiǎng) vs 作用 (zuòyòng): 影响 emphasizes the effect on someone or something, often with a negative connotation, while 作用 focuses on the function or role something plays.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 影响 with the more neutral term 作用. For example, saying '这个政策没有影响' (This policy has no influence) might be incorrect if the intent was to say it has no effect, which should be '这个政策没有作用'.
Write 影响
影
响
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Grammar Patterns of 影响
影响 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 5 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
