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March 24, 2026
吟yín(yin2)
The character 吟 (yín) primarily means to chant or recite, often in the context of poetry or ancient songs. It can also refer to the sounds made by certain animals and insects, conveying a sense of vocal expression. This word is commonly used in literary contexts and can imply a deeper emotional resonance when reciting verses.
Strokes7Radical口Frequency#11528DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, poetry has a historical significance, often associated with scholars and the literati. The act of 吟 poetry reflects not just a recitation but also a cultural appreciation of the beauty and rhythm of the language, embodying a connection to nature and emotion.
Memory Tip
Imagine a singer on stage, passionately吟 (yín) a beautiful poem. The '口' (mouth) radical reminds you that this action involves vocal expression, while the '吟' shape resembles a wave of sound flowing from the mouth, creating a harmonious chant.
Meanings of 吟
yín(yin2)
1to chant
2to recite
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 吟
吟Simplified
7Strokes
口Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#11528Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6
Podcast: 吟
Podcast: 吟
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AI Study Notes for 吟
Quick Contrast
吟 (yín) vs 唱 (chàng) — use 吟 for reciting poetry or ancient songs, while 唱 is for singing more general songs.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 吟 (yín) with similar-sounding characters like 吟 (yín) and 忍 (rěn), which can lead to mispronunciation. This word is typically used in literary or formal contexts, so it's important to use it appropriately to avoid sounding out of place. Common collocations include 吟诗 (chant poetry) and 吟唱 (sing or hum).
HSK Study Tips
While 吟 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, understanding this character can enhance your appreciation of Chinese poetry and literature, which are essential themes in advanced studies. Focus on its pronunciation and usage in literary texts to better grasp its nuances.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mispronounce 吟 as 'yīn' (with a flat tone), which can change its meaning. It's crucial to practice the correct rising tone 'yín' to convey the intended expression.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 吟
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Phonosemantic compound. 口 represents the meaning and 今 represents the sound.
1The meaning half口 carries the sense.
2The sound half今 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawaymouth
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 吟? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 吟?
Decomposition of 吟
IDS Structure⿰口今
吟Full Character
=
口kou3
left
今jin1
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 吟?
How to say to chant in Chinese
“to chant” in Chinese is吟yín
The character 吟 (yín) primarily means to chant or recite, often in the context of poetry or ancient songs. It can also refer to the sounds made by certain animals and insects, conveying a sense of vocal expression. This word is commonly used in literary contexts and can imply a deeper emotional resonance when reciting verses.
When to use 吟
Learners often confuse 吟 (yín) with similar-sounding characters like 吟 (yín) and 忍 (rěn), which can lead to mispronunciation. This word is typically used in literary or formal contexts, so it's important to use it appropriately to avoid sounding out of place. Common collocations include 吟诗 (chant poetry) and 吟唱 (sing or hum).
吟 or something close to it
吟 (yín) vs 唱 (chàng) — use 吟 for reciting poetry or ancient songs, while 唱 is for singing more general songs.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mispronounce 吟 as 'yīn' (with a flat tone), which can change its meaning. It's crucial to practice the correct rising tone 'yín' to convey the intended expression.
Write 吟
吟
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Grammar Patterns of 吟
吟 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 8 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
Complete the Sentence
理查德叔叔____诵了《圣经》中的一章，又即兴作了一段祈祷文。
Uncle Richard intoned a chapter from the Bible and improvised a prayer.
Example Sentences for 吟 (8)
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1
理查德叔叔吟诵了《圣经》中的一章，又即兴作了一段祈祷文。
lǐ chá dé shū shū yín sòng le《 《 shèng》 jīng 》 zhōng de， yī zhāng ， yòu jí xīng zuò le yī duàn。
Uncle Richard intoned a chapter from the Bible and improvised a prayer.
2
陈君宜和 朱吟 秋对看着皱了眉头.
chén jūn yí hé zhū yín qiū duì kàn zháo zhòu le.
Chen Chun - yi and Chu Yin - chiu looked at one another and frowned.
3
朱吟秋也学着样.
zhū yín qiū yě xué zháo yàng.
Seeing him get up, Chu Yin - chiu followed suit.
4
他要是捞不到朱吟秋的干茧, 可就有点窘, —— ”
tā yào shì lāo bù dào zhū yín qiū de gān jiǎn, , kě jiù yǒu diǎn,——”
If he doesn't get Chu Yin - chiu's cocoons, he'll be in a bit of a jam - "
