静音
jìng yīn
The English phrase 'mute' (to turn off the sound) is translated into Chinese as 静音 (jìng yīn).
In digital contexts, 静音 is used both as a verb, meaning to mute a device and as a noun, referring to the mute function or mode. To specifically express the action of turning on the mute function, you can use the phrase 开启静音.
Meaning: turn off the sound of (verb)
How do you pronounce it?
jìng yīn
Did you know?
- When using voice assistants in China, if you want to stop the sound, you might use the command 闭嘴 (bì zuǐ), which literally means 'shut your mouth'.
- While 静音 is the standard term for a device, the word 哑 is used to describe a person who is mute or unable to speak.
- The character 音 in 静音 refers to sound or music and is also the root word for 'news' in classical Chinese, as news was once delivered orally.
Examples in context
- 在这次仪式上，请大家默哀一分钟。During this ceremony, please observe a minute of silence.
- 他因事故导致声带受伤，只能通过打手势来交流。He injured his vocal cords due to an accident and can only communicate through gestures.
- 他在出生时就是哑巴。He has been mute since birth.
- 请把手机静音。Qǐng bǎ shǒujī jìngyīn.Please mute your phone.
- 会议中请保持静音。Huìyì zhōng qǐng bǎochí jìngyīn.Please stay on mute during the meeting.
- 你可以把电视静音吗？Nǐ kěyǐ bǎ diànshì jìngyīn ma?Can you mute the TV?
Example conversation
Xiaowen and Haoran are in a library.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen浩然，你的电脑有声音。Hàorán, nǐ de diànnǎo yǒu shēngyīn.Haoran, your computer is making noise.
- 浩然 Haoran不好意思，我马上静音。Bù hǎoyìsi, wǒ mǎshàng jìngyīn.Sorry, I will mute it immediately.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen谢谢，这里需要安静。Xièxiè, zhèlǐ xūyào ānjìng.Thank you, it needs to be quiet here.
- 浩然 Haoran没问题，我已经静音了。Méi wèntí, wǒ yǐjīng jìngyīn le.No problem, I have already muted it.
