Definition
吭声 is a separable verb (离合词) meaning 'to utter a sound' or 'to speak', most commonly used in the negative — 不吭声 means 'to not say a word' or 'to remain silent'. The verb 吭 and the noun 声 can split when you add a measure word or complement: 吭了一声 ('let out a sound'), 吭过声 ('have spoken'). You cannot put an object after 吭声 directly; instead use 对…吭声 or the negative pattern.
v.o.
to utter a soundto speak (often used in negative constructions)
Examples
- 。Tā zuò zài nàlǐ yì shēng bù háng.He sat there without uttering a single sound.
- ，吭声。Wǒ wèn le tā hǎo jǐ biàn, tā dōu méi háng.I asked him several times, but he didn't say a word.
- 吭声，。Tā zǒngsuàn háng le yì shēng, biǎoshì tóngyì le.He finally let out a sound, indicating agreement.
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