出言 (chū yán) — (literary) to speak, to utter words (often with a specific manner or tone)

Definition

Literary verb: 'to speak / to utter' — focuses on HOW one speaks (tone, manner), not what is said. Almost always used in set phrases like 出言不逊 (speak rudely) or 出言谨慎 (speak cautiously).

verb
(literary) to speakto utter words (often with a specific manner or tone)

Examples

  • ，。
    Tā zài huì shàng chū yán bú xùn, yǐn qǐ le dà jiā de fǎn gǎn.
    He spoke rudely at the meeting, arousing everyone's resentment.
  • 出言，。
    Zhè wèi lǐng dǎo chū yán jǐn shèn, cóng bù suí yì píng lùn tā rén.
    This leader speaks cautiously and never casually comments on others.
  • ，。
    Tā chū le zhè yàng wú lǐ de yán, shí zài lìng rén shī wàng.
    He made such rude remarks, truly disappointing.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

出chūput out
言yánwords

出 means put out, and 言 means words, so the word is to utter words.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

出 combines 止 (foot) and 凵 (cave) to show a foot stepping out of a cave.

Open 出 →

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

The early form of 言 shows an opening and a mark indicating a location; the location is not described as the source of speech.

Open 言 →

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