下巴
xiàba/ɕi̯ä⁵¹ b̥ä¹/
The English word "chin" is translated into Chinese as 下巴 (xiàba). Wiktionary also lists 頷 / 颔 (hàn) and 下巴頦 / 下巴颏 (xiàbakē).
Meaning: bottom of a face (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 下巴 | xiàba | /ɕi̯ä⁵¹ b̥ä¹/ (Mandarin, Standard Chinese, Sinological IPA) /ɕi̯ä⁵¹ pä⁵⁵/ (Mandarin, Standard Chinese, Sinological IPA) |
| 頷 / 颔 | hàn | |
| 下巴頦 / 下巴颏 | xiàbakē |
下巴 refers to the bottom of a face. You may encounter the phrase 托着下巴 (tuōzhe xiàba) to describe the action of resting one's chin on one's hand, which often implies a state of thinking or daydreaming.
Which one should you use?
颔 (hàn) is a more formal or literary term for chin, often used in written works or specific anatomical descriptions. The term 下巴頦 or 下巴颏 is also used to refer to the chin.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In various northern dialects like those spoken in Beijing, the word 颏儿 (kér) is used to describe the chin.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is xiàba. The IPA is /ɕi̯ä⁵¹ b̥ä¹/.
Did you know?
- In traditional Chinese physiognomy, the shape and prominence of the 下巴 are believed to indicate a person's willpower and late-life fortune.
- The root for 頷 comes from a Proto-Sino-Tibetan word that referred to the chin and the molars simultaneously.
- The phrase 颔首 (hànshǒu), using the formal term for chin, is a literary way to describe a slight nod of agreement or submission.
Examples in context
- 他用手撑着下巴，听着。He was listening with his chin resting on his hand.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use the form 下巴 when describing someone resting their chin on their hand.Tatoeba #1790124 by sadhen, translation #292698 by Eldad
- 我昨天不小心摔倒，现在我的下巴又红又肿。Yesterday, I accidentally fell down, and now my chin is red and swollen.
- 你的下巴线条好漂亮！Your chin line is so beautiful!
- 他的下巴有点疼。Tā de xiàba yǒudiǎn téng.His chin hurts a little.
- 请摸摸宝宝的小下巴。Qǐng mōmō bǎobao de xiǎo xiàba.Please touch the baby's little chin.
Example conversation
A boy is showing a small bruise on his chin to a girl.
- 雨婷 Yuting你的下巴怎么了？Nǐ de xiàba zěnme le?What happened to your chin?
- 浩然 Haoran我不小心撞到了。Wǒ bù xiǎoxīn zhuàng dào le.I accidentally bumped it.
- 雨婷 Yuting那里看起来有点红。Nàlǐ kàn qǐlái yǒudiǎn hóng.It looks a bit red there.
- 浩然 Haoran没关系，不疼了。Méiguānxi, bù téng le.It's okay, it doesn't hurt anymore.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “chin” translations and entries 下巴, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 頷, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
