言语 (yán yǔ) — words; speech; language | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

言语 focuses on what is actually said — one's words or speech. 语言 (the HSK 3 word) means 'language' as a system; 言语 and 话语 are closer synonyms, but 言语 is neutral while 话语 leans to a stretch of talk or discourse.

noun

wordsspeechlanguage

Examples

言语。
Tā de yán yǔ fēi cháng jiǎn jié yǒu lì.
His words are very concise and powerful.
言语。
yán yǔ Shì jiāo liú de zhǔ yào fāng shì.
Speech is the main way of communication.
，言语。
Zài gōng gòng chǎng hé, yán yǔ yào dé tǐ.
In public places, speech should be appropriate.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

言yánspeech; words

语yǔlanguage; words

“言语” joins “言” (speech) and “语” (words), meaning spoken language.

Characters in this word

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

The early form of 言 shows an opening and a mark indicating a location; the location is not described as the source of speech.

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

HSK 3.0 Level 6 Communication & Speech Language

Browse more HSK 6 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.