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影子 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
影子yǐngzishadowHSK 6, n, 18 strokes, rank #5239, Hard
影子yǐngzireflectionHSK 6, n, 18 strokes, rank #5239, Hard
影子yǐngzi(fig.) hintHSK 6, unknown, 18 strokes, rank #5239, Hard
影子yǐngziindicationHSK 6, unknown, 18 strokes, rank #5239, Hard
影子yǐngziinfluenceHSK 6, unknown, 18 strokes, rank #5239, Hard
yǐngzi(ying3zi5)ying zi T3
  1. 1shadow
  2. 2reflection
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March 24, 2026

影子yǐngzi(ying3zi5)

影子 (yǐngzi) means 'shadow' or 'reflection' and is commonly used to describe the dark shape produced when an object blocks light. It can also carry figurative meanings such as hint, indication, or influence in various contexts, such as discussing someone's influence or the subtle cues in a conversation.

Strokes18Frequency#5239DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

The concept of shadows is significant in Chinese culture, often symbolizing the unseen or underlying forces in life, such as in the traditional practice of shadow puppetry (影子戏), which reflects storytelling and art forms.

Memory Tip

Imagine a shadow (影) that follows you everywhere, just like your 'buddy' (子) who always wants to be around. The character 影 (shadow) has a radical that resembles a person (亻) next to a mountain (影), suggesting something that is always present but often unnoticed.

Meanings of 影子

yǐngzi(ying3zi5)
1shadow
2reflection
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 影子

影子Simplified
18Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#5239Frequency Rank
个Measure Word
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L6IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1

Podcast: 影子

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Podcast: 影子

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AI Study Notes for 影子

Quick Contrast

影 (yǐng) refers specifically to the image or outline of an object, whereas 影像 (yǐngxiàng) denotes a more detailed or literal image, such as a photograph or video.

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the tone; '影子' must be pronounced with the third (yǐng) and neutral (zi) tones to convey the correct meaning. Common collocations include '影子游戏' (shadow play) and '影子人物' (shadow figure), which can evoke specific cultural references. Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding words.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 5 word, 影子 connects to other vocabulary related to perception and appearance. Students should practice using it in sentences that discuss both literal shadows and metaphorical influences to deepen their understanding.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse '影子' with '阴影', using them interchangeably. For instance, saying '我看到阴影在地上' (I saw a shadow on the ground) is incorrect if the context is simply about a shadow; it should be '影子'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 影子

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Component Characters

影yǐngpicture
15 strokes彡
View full entry
子zison
HSK 33 strokes子
View full entry

How to say shadow in Chinese

“shadow” in Chinese is影子yǐngzi

影子 (yǐngzi) means 'shadow' or 'reflection' and is commonly used to describe the dark shape produced when an object blocks light. It can also carry figurative meanings such as hint, indication, or influence in various contexts, such as discussing someone's influence or the subtle cues in a conversation.

When to use 影子

Be cautious with the tone; '影子' must be pronounced with the third (yǐng) and neutral (zi) tones to convey the correct meaning. Common collocations include '影子游戏' (shadow play) and '影子人物' (shadow figure), which can evoke specific cultural references. Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding words.

影子 or something close to it

影 (yǐng) refers specifically to the image or outline of an object, whereas 影像 (yǐngxiàng) denotes a more detailed or literal image, such as a photograph or video.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse '影子' with '阴影', using them interchangeably. For instance, saying '我看到阴影在地上' (I saw a shadow on the ground) is incorrect if the context is simply about a shadow; it should be '影子'.

Write 影子

影
子

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

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Grammar Patterns of 影子

影子 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 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.

Exercise 1 of 4

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

我看见另有一些模糊的____晃了一下就不见了。

I saw other indistinct shapes that stayed out of vision.

Example Sentences for 影子 (10)

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1
我看见另有一些模糊的影子晃了一下就不见了。

wǒ kàn jiàn lìng yǒu yī xiē mó hū de yǐng zǐ huǎng le yī xià jiù bù jiàn le。

I saw other indistinct shapes that stayed out of vision.
2
阳光明亮刺眼，在地上投下轮廓分明的影子。

yáng guāng míng liàng cì yǎn， ， zài dì shàng tóu xià lún kuò fēn míng de yǐng。

The sunlight is white and blinding, throwing hard-edged shadows on the ground.
3
然而,他身上老有点坏名声的影子.

rán ér, , tā shēn shàng lǎo yǒu diǎn huài míng shēng de yǐng.

Yet a faint air of disreputability always clung to him.
4
孩子们追逐着彼此的影子，玩得很开心。

hái zǐ mén zhuī zhú zháo bǐ cǐ de yǐng zǐ， ， wán dé hěn kāi。

The children were having fun, chasing each other's shadows.
5
残阳下的影子越拉越长。

cán yáng xià de yǐng zǐ yuè lā yuè cháng。

The evening shadows were lengthening.
6
树的影子映在地上.

shù de yǐng zǐ yìng zài dì shàng.

The tree casts a shadow on the ground.
7
在尼日尔的泰内雷沙漠中,一张滑翔伞在沙丘上投下了影子.

zài ní rì ěr de tài nèi léi shā mò zhōng, , yī zhāng huá xiáng sǎn zài shā qiū shàng tóu xià le yǐng.

A paraglider casts a shadow over the dunes of Niger's T é n é r é desert.
8
我等了半天连个影子也没见到.

wǒ děng le bàn tiān lián gè yǐng zǐ yě méi jiàn dào.

I waited a long time , but not a soul turned up.
9
近来我连他的影子也没见到过.

jìn lái wǒ lián tā de yǐng zǐ yě méi jiàn dào guò.

I have not seen anything of him just lately.
10
我在梦中看到有两个模糊的影子.

wǒ zài mèng zhōng kàn dào yǒu liǎng gè mó hū de yǐng zǐ.

I made out two dim shapes in my dream.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 影子

'影子' can be used in sentences like '他的影子在墙上' (His shadow is on the wall).

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