語言 / 语言
yǔyán
The English word 'language' is translated into Chinese as 語言 / 语言 (yǔyán) or 話 / 话.
Meaning: body of words used as a form of communication (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 語言 / 语言 | yǔyán | |
| 話 / 话 | huà | |
| 語言 / 语言 | gú-giân / gír-giân / gí-gân / gí-giân | Hokkien |
語言 / 语言 refers to language as a formal system or an academic subject. In contrast, 話 / 话 is used to refer to speech, words or a specific spoken language or dialect.
Which one should you use?
語言 / 语言 is the appropriate term for the abstract concept of a language, whereas 話 / 话 is used for spoken language or a specific dialect. Additionally, 話 / 话 can function as a suffix when naming certain languages.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The Dungan language has several forms for language including йүян, янйү, йү and хуа. The Hokkien language uses the form 語言 / 语言 (romanized as gú-giân, gír-giân, gí-gân or gí-giân).
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization for 語言 / 语言 is gú-giân / gír-giân / gí-gân / gí-giân.
Did you know?
- The Dungan language uses Cyrillic script for its written forms of 'language', such as йүян, despite being a variety of Chinese.
- When someone is described as 會說話 / 会说话, it can mean they are literally capable of speech or that they are tactful and diplomatic in their communication.
- The character 語 / 语 contains the radical for 'speech' on the left and a component that originally represented a 'spirit' or 'breath' on the right, linking language to the physical act of breathing.
Examples in context
- 英语是世界上最广泛使用的语言。English is the most widely spoken language in the world.
- 你会说几种语言？How many languages can you speak?
- 你会说广东话吗？Can you speak Cantonese?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “language” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
