Definition
失声 is a separable verb (离合词) with two distinct meanings: 'to cry out involuntarily' (from shock, pain, or strong emotion) and 'to lose one's voice' (temporarily unable to speak). The verb 失 and the object 声 can be separated by aspect markers or measure words — for example, 失了一声 ('let out a cry') or 失过声 ('have lost one's voice before'). Context determines which sense is intended.
v.o.
to cry out involuntarily (from shock, pain, or strong emotion)to lose one's voice (temporarily unable to speak)
Examples
- 。Tā xià de shī le yì shēng.He was so scared he let out a cry.
- ，失声。Tā gǎnmào le, zuótiān shī shēng le.He caught a cold and lost his voice yesterday.
- ，失声。Tīngdào zhège xiāoxi, tā shī shēng tòngkū.Hearing this news, she cried out in grief.
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