暗语 (àn yǔ) — code word (prearranged secret word or phrase us… | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

A prearranged secret word or phrase (like a 'code word') or the private jargon of a specific group — 间谍/黑帮 use it so outsiders can't understand.

noun

code word (prearranged secret word or phrase used for identification)argotprivate language or jargon of a particular group

Measure word · 个

Examples

暗语，。
Tā men yòng àn yǔ lái chuán dì qíng bào, yǐ fáng bèi dí rén fā xiàn.
They used code words to pass intelligence, to avoid being discovered by the enemy.
暗语。
Zhè xiē hēi bāng de àn yǔ zhǐ yǒu nèi bù chéng yuán cái tīng de dǒng.
The argot of these gangs can only be understood by their internal members.
暗语。
Tè gōng men yuē dìng le jǐ zǔ àn yǔ zuò wéi lián luò xìn hào.
The agents agreed on several sets of code words as liaison signals.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

暗ànsecret

语yǔlanguage

暗 gives the sense of secret or hidden, and 语 refers to words or language.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

日音暗

Meaning part形符xíngfú

日日rìsun

Sound part声符shēngfú

音

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

暗 pairs 日 (sun) with 音, which gives the sound.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 語; 语 is its simplified writing.

言吾語

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

吾

吾wú語yǔ

Same sound today

The form 語 pairs 言 (speech) with 吾, which gives the sound; this note is about 語, not 语.

Appears in

Communication & Speech Language

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