shēnyín
To moan in Chinese is shēnyín.
The term shēnyín refers to a soft and low sound made when expressing discomfort or pain. Other related forms include 嘤嘤, which is a colloquial expression used to describe a complaining or whimpering sound and 哼哼, used informally to imitate a whining or grumbling sound.
Meaning: to make a moan or similar sound (verb)
Which one should you use?
While shēnyín is a general term for moaning, 哀鸣 is more specific to a low, mournful cry, often used for animals or in a more literary context.
Related words
Did you know?
- While shēnyín can describe pain, in contemporary digital contexts it is frequently used as a keyword to refer specifically to sexual moaning.
- The character 吟 in shēnyín also refers to a specific style of ancient Chinese poetry that was chanted or sung aloud rather than read silently.
- In traditional Chinese medicine, certain types of moaning or sighing are viewed as signs that qi is blocked or stagnant in the body.
Examples in context
- 他生病时总是呻吟不止。He always moans incessantly when he's sick.
- 别嘤嘤了，这点小事儿没什么好抱怨的。Stop moaning, there's nothing to complain about over this trivial matter.
- 她哼哼唧唧地表达着她的不满。She expressed her dissatisfaction by whining and grumbling.
Example conversation
Zhiqiang is massaging Zihan's sore shoulders.
- 梓涵 Zihan啊，那里就是最酸的地方。Ā, nàlǐ jiùshì zuì suān de dìfāng.Ah, that's the sorest spot.
- 志强 Zhiqiang你shēnyín得这么大声，真的很疼吗？Nǐ shēnyín de zhème dàshēng, zhēnde hěn téng ma?You're moaning so loudly, does it really hurt?
- 梓涵 Zihan疼，但是感觉很舒服。Téng, dànshì gǎnjué hěn shūfu.It hurts, but it feels very good.
- 志强 Zhiqiang那我稍微轻一点。Nà wǒ shāowēi qīng yīdiǎn.Then I'll be a bit gentler.
