语言
yǔyán
The English phrase 'languages' is translated into Chinese as 语言 (yǔyán).
语言 refers to systems of communication used by people to express thoughts and feelings. When naming specific languages, Chinese often uses specific patterns: you can follow the pattern '[Language]语', such as 法语 for French or '[Language]文', such as 阿拉伯文 for Arabic.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 语言 is composed of 语 (speech/language) and 言 (words/to speak).
How does it change in a sentence?
Unlike English, the word 语言 does not change its form to indicate plurality. Instead, the number of languages is indicated by a preceding measure word. When counting languages, the formal measure word 门 is used, while the measure word 种 can be used in a more colloquial or general sense.
How do you pronounce it?
yǔyán
Did you know?
- The character 言 in 语言 is a pictograph that originally depicted a mouth with a tongue and a series of words floating above it.
- The measure word 门 used for counting languages originally referred to a 'gate' or 'door'. In this context, it implies a field of study or a gateway to a specific body of knowledge.
- When referring to 'body language', Chinese uses 肢体语言. The word 语言 is used here even though no actual words are spoken.
Examples in context
- 她会十门语言。She is able to speak ten languages.Tatoeba #394862 by GlossaMatik, translation #307967 by CK
- 你会几种语言？How many languages do you know?Tatoeba #9992118 by GlossaMatik, translation #3070238 by CK
- 他会讲十门语言。He speaks ten languages.Tatoeba #410010 by GlossaMatik, translation #993960 by CK
- 60 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their studies at a university.
- 佳怡 Jiayi你学习很多语言吗？Nǐ xuéxí hěnduō yǔyán ma?Do you study many languages?
- 俊杰 Junjie是的，我正在学两种语言。Shì de, wǒ zhèngzài xué liǎng zhǒng yǔyán.Yes, I am studying two languages.
- 佳怡 Jiayi俊杰，你学得怎么样？Jùnjié, nǐ xué de zěnmeyàng?Junjie, how is your studying going?
- 俊杰 Junjie很有趣，也很有挑战性。Hěn yǒuqù, yě hěn yǒu tiǎozhàn xìng.It's very interesting, and also quite challenging.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
