Definition
阴影 (yīn yǐng) is a noun meaning 'shadow' or 'shade', both literally and figuratively. Unlike 影子 (yǐng zi), which is a neutral 'shadow' or 'reflection', 阴影 often carries a darker, more negative connotation—especially in its figurative sense of 'psychological shadow' or 'trauma'. For psychological trauma specifically, 创伤 (chuāng shāng) is the direct term for 'wound/trauma', while 阴影 refers to the lingering dark influence.
noun
(literal) shadowshade(figurative) shadowdark influencepsychological trauma
Examples
- 阴影。Dà shù xiàmiàn yǒu yí piàn yīn yǐng.There is a patch of shade under the big tree.
- 阴影。Zhè jiàn shì gěi tā liú xià le xīnlǐ yīn yǐng.This incident left a psychological shadow on him.
- 阴影。Tā zhōngyú zǒu chū le tóngnián de yīn yǐng.She finally emerged from the shadow of her childhood.
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