多语言
duō yǔ yán
The English word 'multilingual' is translated into Chinese as 多语言 (duō yǔ yán).
The term is used to describe a person, a system or an entity that is capable of communicating fluently in multiple languages.
Meaning: able to communicate fluently in multiple languages (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of 多 (duō), meaning 'many' or 'multi-' and 语言 (yǔyán), meaning 'language'.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using 多语言 as an adjective to describe a person or a system within a sentence, it is common to add the particle 的 after it, forming 多语言的.
How do you pronounce it?
duō yǔ yán
Did you know?
- The character 多 for 'many' is an ideogram that originally depicted two pieces of meat stacked on top of each other to signify abundance.
- Because China has many dialects, some speakers are 'multilingual' in their own local dialects and 普通话 'Standard Mandarin' without ever learning a foreign language.
- While 多语言 describes a system or concept, a person who speaks many languages is more commonly called a 语言天才 (language genius) or a 通晓多种语言的人 (a person proficient in many languages).
Examples in context
- Tatoeba确实是多语言的。所有的语言都互相关联。Tatoeba is really multilingual. All the languages are interconnected.This sentence shows how to describe a system as being 多语言.Tatoeba #811344 by fucongcong, translation #704141 by jakov
- 我是一名多语种翻译员。I am a multilingual translator.
- 他是一个精通多国语言的语言学家。He is a linguist proficient in multiple foreign languages.
Example conversation
Two colleagues are discussing a job opening.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen志强，你觉得谁适合这个岗位？Zhìqiáng, nǐ juéde shéi shìhé zhège gǎngwèi?Zhiqiang, who do you think is suitable for this position?
- 志强 Zhiqiang我想找一个多语言的人。Wǒ xiǎng zhǎo yīgè duōyǔyán de rén.I want to find someone who is multilingual.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen晓雯会说三种语言，她很合适。Xiǎowén huì shuō sān zhǒng yǔyán, tā hěn héshì.Xiaowen speaks three languages, she is very suitable.
- 志强 Zhiqiang太好了，快联系她吧。Tài hǎole, kuài liánxì tā ba.Great, contact her quickly.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
