不同的语言
bùtóng de yǔyán
The English phrase "different languages" is translated into Chinese as 不同的语言 (bùtóng de yǔyán).
不同的语言 is used to refer to languages that are not the same as each other.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 不同 (bùtóng), which literally means "not the same" or "different", the particle 的 (de) used to link an adjective to a noun and 语言 (yǔyán), which means "languages".
How does it change in a sentence?
In this phrase, the particle 的 is used to connect the adjective 不同 to the noun 语言.
How do you pronounce it?
bùtóng de yǔyán
Did you know?
- In many Chinese contexts, instead of saying 'different languages', people might say 方言 (fāngyán) if they are actually referring to regional dialects like Cantonese or Shanghainese.
- The character 言 in 语言 is a pictograph that originally depicted a mouth with a tongue, symbolizing the act of speaking.
- While 不同 means 'different', the reverse combination 同不同 is used as a common way to ask 'Is it the same or not?', turning a statement of difference into a question.
Examples in context
- 他们说不同的语言。Tāmen shuō bùtóng de yǔyán.They speak different languages.
- 学习不同的语言很有趣。Xuéxí bùtóng de yǔyán hěn yǒuqù.Learning different languages is very interesting.
- 这里的人会说不同的语言。Zhèlǐ de rén huì shuō bùtóng de yǔyán.The people here can speak different languages.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their travel experiences.
- 佳怡 Jiayi志强，你在国外听过不同的语言吗？Zhìqiáng, nǐ zài guówài tīngguò bùtóng de yǔyán ma?Zhiqiang, have you heard different languages abroad?
- 志强 Zhiqiang听过很多，而且非常有趣。Tīngguò hěnduō, érqiě fēicháng yǒuqù.I have heard many, and it was very interesting.
- 佳怡 Jiayi我也想去尝试学习不同的语言。Wǒ yě xiǎng qù chángshì xuéxí bùtóng de yǔyán.I also want to try learning different languages.
- 志强 Zhiqiang那你可以从英语开始。Nà nǐ kěyǐ cóng Yīngyǔ kāishǐ.Then you can start with English.
