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Chinese vocabulary · Beginner
How do you say "languages" in Chinese?
语言
yǔ yán
In Chinese, "languages" is 语言.
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Pronunciation
Say 'yoo' (falling tone) then 'yen' (rising tone). Two syllables.
Writing and usage
Two characters. 语 means language or speech (nine strokes), 言 means words (seven strokes). Literally 'speech words'.
Example sentence
我学多种语言。
I learn many languages.
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How to remember 语言
语 contains the speech radical, showing it's about speaking. 言 means words or language. Together they describe languages.
Related words
- art 艺术 yì shù
- economics 经济学 jīng jì xué
- fire extinguisher 灭火器 miè huǒ qì
- gum 口香糖 kǒu xiāng táng
- map 地图 dì tú
- music 音乐 yīn yuè
- physical education 体育 tǐ yù
- physics 物理 wù lǐ
- textbook 教科书 jiào kē shū
Browse all Chinese words in the glossary.
Questions about 语言
How do you say "languages" in Chinese?
In Chinese, "languages" is 语言. It is a noun.
How is 语言 written in Chinese?
Two characters. 语 means language or speech (nine strokes), 言 means words (seven strokes). Literally 'speech words'.
How is 语言 used in a sentence?
Use 语言 as you would use the equivalent noun in English. For example: 我学多种语言。 (I learn many languages.).
Where can I practice Chinese words for free?
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"Languages" in other languages
Curated by Callan Ratcliffe
This word is part of the vocabulary taught in the Chinese language learning game Noun Town, where words are introduced through play rather than memorisation.
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