Definition
吟 refers to the act of reciting or chanting poetry in a melodic way, often with a rising and falling intonation. It can also mean to hum or sing softly, and extends to the crying sounds of certain animals or insects (e.g., 蝉吟 'cicada chirp'). As a noun, it denotes a type of poem or song, especially in classical Chinese literature. In modern usage, 吟 appears mostly in literary or formal contexts.
v./n.
to chantto recite (poetry)to humto sing softly
noun
a poema chanta song (especially in literary contexts)
Examples
- 。Tā xǐhuān zài yuèguāng xià yín shī.He likes to recite poems under the moonlight.
- 。tā xǐhuān zài huāyuán lǐ dīshēng yínchàng.She likes to hum softly in the garden.
- 。zhè shǒu yínyǒng biǎoxiànle shīrén de gūdú.This chant expresses the poet's loneliness.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.