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March 24, 2026
声(聲)shēng(sheng1)
The character 声 (shēng) primarily means 'sound' or 'voice'. It is commonly used in various contexts, such as referring to the sound of music, speech, or any noise. Additionally, it serves as a classifier for sounds, indicating different types of auditory experiences.
Strokes7Radical士Frequency#729DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 声 is important in music and poetry, where the sound of words can convey deep emotion and meaning. Traditional Chinese opera, for instance, places great emphasis on the quality of voice and sound.
Memory Tip
Imagine a singer (声) producing a beautiful sound. The character has a 'mouth' (口) component at the bottom, symbolizing voice or speech, while the top part looks like a wave, representing sound traveling through the air. Connect 'shēng' with 'sing' to remember its pronunciation.
Meanings of 声
shēng(sheng1)
1sound
2voice
Exercise 1 of 3
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About 声
声Simplified
聲Traditional
7Strokes
士Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#729Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L3IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 声
Podcast: 声
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AI Study Notes for 声
Quick Contrast
声 (shēng) vs 音 (yīn) — use 声 for specific sounds or voices, while 音 refers more broadly to sound or tone.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a singer (声) producing a beautiful sound. The character has a 'mouth' (口) component at the bottom, symbolizing voice or speech, while the top part looks like a wave, representing sound traveling through the air. Connect 'shēng' with 'sing' to remember its pronunciation.
Usage Notes
Be careful with tone when using 声, as it is pronounced with the first tone (shēng). It is often used in compound words like 声音 (shēngyīn, sound) or 声调 (shēngdiào, tone). Avoid using it in overly formal contexts without proper context, as it can be seen as too casual.
HSK Study Tips
Though 声 is not listed in HSK, it connects with HSK vocabulary related to sound and communication, such as 听 (tīng, to hear) and 说 (shuō, to speak). Focus on how 声 is used in different phrases to enhance your listening and speaking skills.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 声 is important in music and poetry, where the sound of words can convey deep emotion and meaning. Traditional Chinese opera, for instance, places great emphasis on the quality of voice and sound.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 声 with similar characters like 声音 and 声调. For example, saying '我喜欢声' (Wǒ xǐhuān shēng) instead of '我喜欢声音' (Wǒ xǐhuān shēngyīn) is incorrect; always use the full term for clarity.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 声
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Grammar Patterns of 声
声 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 6 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.
"That is correct, Meg," he answered in his cold, dead voice.
9
还没看到他们，我便听到他们穿过矮树丛过来的声音。
huán méi kàn dào tā mén， ， wǒ biàn tīng dào tā mén chuān guò ǎi shù cóng guò lái de shēng。
I heard them coming, crashing through the undergrowth, before I saw them.
10
类似劳埃德保险公司的那些丑闻令伦敦名声扫地。
lèi sì láo āi dé bǎo xiǎn gōng sī de nà xiē chǒu wén líng lún dūn míng shēng sǎo dì。
The City's reputation has been sullied by scandals like those at Lloyd's.
Cultural Notes for 声
💡Did you know?
In Chinese culture, the way one speaks can convey respect and emotion. The concept of '声' is not just about sound; it's also about the tone and manner of speaking, which reflects a person's character and intentions.
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of 声 is important in music and poetry, where the sound of words can convey deep emotion and meaning. Traditional Chinese opera, for instance, places great emphasis on the quality of voice and sound.
Word Family of 声
Compounds1
殸qing4stone chimes
Words Containing This Character20
声shēngsound聲
声音shēngyīnvoice聲音
声明shēngmíngto state聲明
大声dàshēngloud voice大聲
声称shēngchēngto claim聲稱
掌声zhǎngshēngapplause掌聲
歌声gēshēngsinging voice歌聲
名声míngshēngreputation名聲
小声xiǎoshēngin a low voice小聲
铃声língshēngring鈴聲
笑声xiàoshēnglaughter笑聲
心声xīnshēngthoughts心聲
枪声crack槍聲
超声ultrasonic超聲
低声softly低聲
声誉shēngyùfame聲譽
叫声barking叫聲
风声rumor風聲
无声noiseless無聲
呼声hūshēnga shout呼聲
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 殸 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 声
声 is pronounced as 'shēng' with a first tone in Mandarin Chinese. To pronounce it correctly, your pitch should remain high and level throughout the sound. Practicing with audio resources can help you master the pronunciation.
声 (shēng) typically refers to voice or sound in a personal context, while 音 (yīn) is often used for musical notes or sounds in a more general sense. For example, 音乐 means 'music,' focusing on the tonal aspect rather than just sound.
You can use 声 (shēng) in sentences to describe sounds or voices. For example, '他的声音很好听' means 'His voice is pleasant to hear.' You can also say '这声太大了' which means 'This sound is too loud.'
声 (shēng) means 'sound' or 'voice' in Chinese. It can refer to various types of noise, including tones or the sound of speech. Additionally, it is used as a classifier for sounds in certain contexts.
Some common phrases include 声音 (shēngyīn, sound) and 声调 (shēngdiào, tone).
Connect 'shēng' with the English word 'sing', as both involve the concept of sound.
Yes, 声 can be used in formal contexts when discussing sound, voice, or tone in literature or academic settings.
