Meanings of 呜咽
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 呜咽
Podcast: 呜咽
Podcast: 呜咽
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 呜咽
啜泣 (chuòqì) vs 呜咽 (wūyè) — choose 呜咽 for a softer, quieter expression of sorrow, while 啜泣 suggests a more pronounced, audible crying.
呜咽 is generally used in more emotional or intimate contexts, making it more appropriate for personal conversations than formal settings. A common mistake is confusing it with louder crying sounds, like 哭 (kū), which means to cry. Be mindful of the tone; using it inappropriately may sound overly dramatic.
While 呜咽 is not an HSK vocabulary word, it uses components and sounds common in HSK Level 3 and above. Students should focus on understanding emotional expressions, as they are frequently encountered in literature and conversation.
Learners may confuse 呜咽 with louder crying terms, leading to sentences like '他在呜咽大声' (tā zài wū yè dà shēng), which incorrectly implies loudness. The correct form would be '他在呜咽' (tā zài wū yè) to convey soft sobbing.
Pronunciation of 呜咽
Drill the tone of 呜咽 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Component Characters
How to say to sob in Chinese
“to sob” in Chinese is呜咽
呜咽 (wū yè) refers to the sound of sobbing or whimpering, often expressing deep emotional pain or sadness. This word is commonly used in contexts where someone is quietly crying, indicating a sense of vulnerability or distress rather than loud crying. It carries a nuance of tenderness and fragility.
When to use 呜咽
呜咽 is generally used in more emotional or intimate contexts, making it more appropriate for personal conversations than formal settings. A common mistake is confusing it with louder crying sounds, like 哭 (kū), which means to cry. Be mindful of the tone; using it inappropriately may sound overly dramatic.
呜咽 or something close to it
啜泣 (chuòqì) vs 呜咽 (wūyè) — choose 呜咽 for a softer, quieter expression of sorrow, while 啜泣 suggests a more pronounced, audible crying.
What learners get wrong
Learners may confuse 呜咽 with louder crying terms, leading to sentences like '他在呜咽大声' (tā zài wū yè dà shēng), which incorrectly implies loudness. The correct form would be '他在呜咽' (tā zài wū yè) to convey soft sobbing.
Write 呜咽
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 呜咽 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions about 呜咽
呜咽 (wū yè) refers to soft sobbing or whimpering, while 哭 (kū) is a general term for crying, often louder and more expressive.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 呜咽?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.