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读音 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
读音dúyīnpronunciationHSK 5, unknown, 19 strokes, rank #27535, Hard
读音dúyīnliterary (rather than colloquial) pronunciation of a Chinese characterHSK 5, unknown, 19 strokes, rank #27535, Hard
dúyīn(du2yin1)du yin T2
  1. 1pronunciation
  2. 2literary (rather than colloquial) pronunciation of a Chinese character
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March 24, 2026

读音(讀音)dúyīn(du2yin1)

读音 (dú yīn) refers to the pronunciation of a word or character in Mandarin Chinese. It is commonly used in educational contexts, particularly when discussing the correct way to articulate words and characters, emphasizing their phonetic elements rather than their meanings or uses in sentences.

Strokes19Frequency#27535DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the correct pronunciation of characters is highly valued, as it can reflect education and respect for language. Many traditional Chinese texts, such as poetry, also emphasize precise pronunciation for rhythm and meaning.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'reading sound' as a library where each book (character) has a unique sound (pronunciation). The character 读 (dú) looks like a person reading, and 音 (yīn) resembles waves of sound emanating from a speaker, connecting the idea of reading with the sound it produces.

Meanings of 读音

dúyīn(du2yin1)
1pronunciation
2literary (rather than colloquial) pronunciation of a Chinese character
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 读音

读音Simplified
讀音Traditional
19Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5ElementaryTOCFLL2YCTL3HSKKL1CEFRA1

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AI Study Notes for 读音

Quick Contrast

发音 (fāyīn) vs 语音 (yǔyīn) — use 读音 when specifically referring to the pronunciation of individual words or characters, while 发音 is a broader term for pronunciation in general, and 语音 pertains to phonetics and speech sounds more generally.

Usage Notes

Be cautious when using 读音 in formal contexts; it is primarily used in educational settings. Common collocations include 读音正确 (correct pronunciation) and 读音不清 (unclear pronunciation). Pay attention to tone, as mispronunciation can change the meaning.

HSK Study Tips

While 读音 is not an official HSK vocabulary word, it is beneficial for HSK learners to understand pronunciation nuances as they progress. Focus on mastering the tones, as they are critical for conveying the correct meaning in spoken Mandarin.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mix up 读音 with 发音, using them interchangeably. Remember that 读音 is more specific to characters, while 发音 refers to pronunciation in general. For example, saying '我不知道这个字的发音' (I don't know the pronunciation of this character) is more accurate than '读音' in this context.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 读音

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Learning Lab

Knowing 读音 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.

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Component Characters

读dúto read
HSK 110 strokes讠
View full entry
音yīnsound
HSK 39 strokes音
View full entry

How to say pronunciation in Chinese

“pronunciation” in Chinese is读音dúyīn

读音 (dú yīn) refers to the pronunciation of a word or character in Mandarin Chinese. It is commonly used in educational contexts, particularly when discussing the correct way to articulate words and characters, emphasizing their phonetic elements rather than their meanings or uses in sentences.

When to use 读音

Be cautious when using 读音 in formal contexts; it is primarily used in educational settings. Common collocations include 读音正确 (correct pronunciation) and 读音不清 (unclear pronunciation). Pay attention to tone, as mispronunciation can change the meaning.

读音 or something close to it

发音 (fāyīn) vs 语音 (yǔyīn) — use 读音 when specifically referring to the pronunciation of individual words or characters, while 发音 is a broader term for pronunciation in general, and 语音 pertains to phonetics and speech sounds more generally.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mix up 读音 with 发音, using them interchangeably. Remember that 读音 is more specific to characters, while 发音 refers to pronunciation in general. For example, saying '我不知道这个字的发音' (I don't know the pronunciation of this character) is more accurate than '读音' in this context.

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音

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Frequently Asked Questions about 读音

读音 specifically refers to the pronunciation related to characters and words in a literary context, whereas 发音 (fā yīn) is a more general term for pronunciation.

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