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语 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
语yǔdialectHSK 7, ng, 9 strokes, radical 讠, rank #1470, Hard
语yǔlanguageHSK 7, ng, 9 strokes, radical 讠, rank #1470, Hard
语yǔspeechHSK 7, ng, 9 strokes, radical 讠, rank #1470, Hard
语yǔto tell toHSK 7, ng, 9 strokes, radical 讠, rank #1470, Hard
语yǔwords, language; saying, expressionHSK 7, ng, 9 strokes, radical 讠, rank #1470, Hard
语yùdialectHSK 7, ng, 9 strokes, radical 讠, rank #1470, Hard
语yùlanguageHSK 7, ng, 9 strokes, radical 讠, rank #1470, Hard
语yùspeechHSK 7, ng, 9 strokes, radical 讠, rank #1470, Hard
语yùto tell toHSK 7, ng, 9 strokes, radical 讠, rank #1470, Hard
语yùwords, language; saying, expressionHSK 7, ng, 9 strokes, radical 讠, rank #1470, Hard
yǔ(yu3)
primary
 T3
  1. 1dialect
  2. 2language
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
语(語)yǔ(yu3)

The character 语 (yǔ) refers to language, speech, or dialect. It encompasses both the act of speaking and the words used in communication. It is commonly used in contexts related to linguistics, education, and communication.

Strokes9Radical讠Frequency#1470DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, language is not just a means of communication but also a reflection of regional identity, with numerous dialects spoken across the country. Understanding 语 can help learners appreciate the diversity within Chinese linguistic practices.

Memory Tip

Imagine a person speaking on a large 'u'-shaped stage (the character 语 has a 'u' shape) where they share different dialects and languages. The 'y' sound in 'yǔ' can remind you of 'you' speaking or telling something.

Meanings of 语

yǔ(yu3)
primary
1dialect
2language
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 语

语Simplified
語Traditional
9Strokes
讠Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#1470Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7

Podcast: 语

JasonAmy

Podcast: 语

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 语

Quick Contrast

语 (yǔ) vs 言 (yán) — use 语 when referring to language or speech in a broader sense, while 言 is often used to denote words or speech in a more specific context.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a person speaking on a large 'u'-shaped stage (the character 语 has a 'u' shape) where they share different dialects and languages. The 'y' sound in 'yǔ' can remind you of 'you' speaking or telling something.

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the tone; 'yǔ' is pronounced with a falling-rising tone (yǔ), which can be confused with other similar-sounding words. It is often used in compounds like 语言 (yǔyán - language) or 语法 (yǔfǎ - grammar). In formal contexts, it is appropriate to use this character when discussing language matters.

HSK Study Tips

Although 语 is not specifically listed in the HSK vocabulary, it is related to other language-focused words like 语言 (yǔyán) and 语法 (yǔfǎ). Students at HSK levels 3 and 4 should focus on these related terms to build a solid foundation in discussing language.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, language is not just a means of communication but also a reflection of regional identity, with numerous dialects spoken across the country. Understanding 语 can help learners appreciate the diversity within Chinese linguistic practices.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 语 with similar-sounding words like 余 (yú - surplus) or 予 (yǔ - to give). Always remember the tone and context when using 语.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 语

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Etymology of 语

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Simplified form of 語. Phonosemantic compound. 言 represents the meaning and 吾 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

words

Semantic (meaning)讠
+
Phonetic (sound)吾
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 语?

Decomposition of 语

IDS Structure⿰讠吾
语Full Character
=
讠yan2
left
吾Wu2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 语?

Write 语

语

Practice writing 语 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 语

语 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 5 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.

Related grammar lessons6
Exercise 1 of 2

Complete the Sentence

老师教我们汉____。

The teacher teaches us Chinese.

Example Sentences for 语 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
我意识到我不得不克服语言障碍。

wǒ yì shí dào wǒ bù dé bù kè fú yǔ yán zhàng ài。

I realized I had to surmount the language barrier.
2
我们被教导要以特定的方式理解这些词语。

wǒ mén bèi jiào dǎo yào yǐ tè dìng de fāng shì lǐ jiě zhè xiē cí yǔ。

We are taught to construe these terms in a particular way.
3
“你在自言自语。”“对啊，不行吗？”

“ “ nǐ zài zì yán zì。”“ yǔ 。”“， duì ā ，？”

"You're talking to yourself." — "Well, what of it?"
4
“他强迫你做的？”她的语气里带着怀疑。

“ “ tā qiáng pò nǐ zuò？” de ？” tā de yǔ qì lǐ dài zháo。

"He made you do it?" Her voice was incredulous.
5
语言是将人类与动物区分开来的基本特征。

yǔ yán shì jiāng rén lèi yǔ dòng wù qū fēn kāi lái de jī běn tè zhēng。

Language is something which fundamentally distinguishes humans from animals.
6
它用讽刺的语言呈现了天主教作家郑重其事表明的观点。

tā yòng fěng cì de yǔ yán chéng xiàn le tiān zhǔ jiào zuò jiā zhèng zhòng qí shì biǎo míng de guān diǎn。

It presented in satirical terms points made in earnest by Catholic writers.
7
这份杂志没必要出现那种语言。

zhè fèn zá zhì méi bì yào chū xiàn nà zhǒng yǔ yán。

There'sno need for that kind of language in this magazine.
8
他们正用德语交谈，这是他们唯一的共同语言。

tā mén zhèng yòng dé yǔ jiāo tán， ， zhè shì tā mén wéi yī de gòng tóng yǔ。

They were conversing in German, their only common language.
9
这是一种形象胜于语言的艺术。

zhè shì yī zhǒng xíng xiàng shèng yú yǔ yán de yì shù。

It was an art in which words were subordinate to images.
10
这本书诙谐幽默，妙语趣话随处可见。

zhè běn shū huī xié yōu mò， ， miào yǔ qù huà suí chǔ kě。

The book is witty and peppered with good one-liners.

Cultural Notes for 语

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, language is not just a means of communication but also a reflection of regional identity, with numerous dialects spoken across the country. Understanding 语 can help learners appreciate the diversity within Chinese linguistic practices.

Word Family of 语

Words Containing This Character20
语yǔdialect語
语言yǔyánlanguage語言
英语yīngyǔEnglish (language)英語
法语fǎyǔFrench (language)法語
西班牙语xībānyáyǔSpanish language西班牙語
语气yǔqìtone語氣
语音yǔyīnspeech sounds語音
言语yányǔwords言語
语文literature and language語文
话语huàyǔwords話語
汉语hànyǔChinese language漢語
咒语spell咒語
外语wàiyǔforeign language外語
德语German (language)德語
标语biāoyǔplacard標語
词语cíyǔexpression詞語
俄语éyǔRussian (language)俄語
日语rìyǔJapanese language日語
术语term術語
自言自语zìyánzìyǔto talk to oneself自言自語
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 语 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 语

语 can refer to language in general, specific dialects, or the act of speech. It's often used in educational settings.