Definition
哑 (yǎ) describes being physically unable to speak (mute) or temporarily hoarse. It also appears in fixed phrases like 哑口无言 to mean 'speechless' (from shock or defeat). Unlike 沉默 (chénmò 'silent'), which is a choice to not speak, 哑 implies an inability or loss of voice.
adjective
mutedumbhoarsespeechless (often in fixed phrases like 哑口无言)
Easily confused
- 恶èlook-alikeevil, wicked
- 呀yāsound-alike(interjection) ah! oh! (expressing surprise, sudden realization, or admiration)
- 压yāsound-aliketo press, to push down
- 牙yásound-aliketooth
- 押yāsound-aliketo pawn, to mortgage
- 芽yásound-alikebud, sprout
Examples
- 哑，。Tā shēng xiàlái jiù shì yǎ de, dàn xuéhuì le shǒuyǔ.He was born mute but learned sign language.
- ，哑。Zuótiān chànggē chàng de tài jiǔ, jīntiān sǎngzi yǎ le.I sang too long yesterday, so my throat is hoarse today.
- ，哑。Tīng dào zhège huài xiāoxi, tā jīng de yǎkǒu wú yán.Hearing this bad news, he was struck speechless.
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