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呻吟 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
呻吟shēnyínto moanHSK 7, v, 15 strokes, rank #9527, Very Hard
呻吟shēnyínto groanHSK 7, v, 15 strokes, rank #9527, Very Hard
shēnyín(shen1yin2)shen yin T1
  1. 1to moan
  2. 2to groan
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March 24, 2026

呻吟shēnyín(shen1yin2)

呻吟 (shēn yín) means to moan or groan, often expressing pain, discomfort, or emotional distress. It is commonly used in both literary and conversational contexts to convey a sense of suffering or anguish, whether physical or psychological.

Strokes15Frequency#9527DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese medicine, the sounds people make when in pain can be seen as significant indicators of their health status. Understanding the emotional connotations of '呻吟' can help learners appreciate the cultural nuances of expressing discomfort.

Memory Tip

Imagine a person in pain, making a sound that resembles 'shen' as they groan. The character '呻' (shēn) looks like a person bent over, struggling, while '吟' (yín) suggests a drawn-out sound, like a sad song. Together, they illustrate the act of moaning.

Meanings of 呻吟

shēnyín(shen1yin2)
1to moan
2to groan
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About 呻吟

呻吟Simplified
15Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#9527Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7HSKKL3CEFRC1

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Podcast: 呻吟

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AI Study Notes for 呻吟

Quick Contrast

呻吟 (shēnyín) vs 呜咽 (wūyè) — use 呻吟 for moaning in pain, while 呜咽 refers more to sobbing or weeping softly.

Usage Notes

This term is typically used in more serious contexts, such as literature or discussions about health. Avoid using it in light-hearted or casual conversations, as it carries a heavy emotional weight. Be cautious with the tones; mispronouncing '吟' with the wrong tone can change its meaning entirely.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, it connects with other expressions of emotion and physical states. Focus on its usage in descriptive writing or when discussing health issues, as these contexts are common among advanced learners.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse '呻吟' with lighter expressions of discomfort. For example, saying '我在呻吟' (I am moaning) in a casual context can come off as overly dramatic. Instead, use it in appropriate serious contexts to maintain the intended meaning.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 呻吟

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Component Characters

呻shēngroan
8 strokes口
View full entry
吟yínto chant
HSK 67 strokes口
View full entry

How to say to moan in Chinese

“to moan” in Chinese is呻吟shēnyín

呻吟 (shēn yín) means to moan or groan, often expressing pain, discomfort, or emotional distress. It is commonly used in both literary and conversational contexts to convey a sense of suffering or anguish, whether physical or psychological.

When to use 呻吟

This term is typically used in more serious contexts, such as literature or discussions about health. Avoid using it in light-hearted or casual conversations, as it carries a heavy emotional weight. Be cautious with the tones; mispronouncing '吟' with the wrong tone can change its meaning entirely.

呻吟 or something close to it

呻吟 (shēnyín) vs 呜咽 (wūyè) — use 呻吟 for moaning in pain, while 呜咽 refers more to sobbing or weeping softly.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse '呻吟' with lighter expressions of discomfort. For example, saying '我在呻吟' (I am moaning) in a casual context can come off as overly dramatic. Instead, use it in appropriate serious contexts to maintain the intended meaning.

Write 呻吟

呻
吟

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Frequently Asked Questions about 呻吟

'呻吟' is better suited for formal or serious discussions, such as literature or health-related topics, rather than casual chats.

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