阴凉处
yīnliángchù
The English phrase "shade" (referring to darkness where light is blocked) is translated into Chinese as 阴凉处 (yīnliángchù).
阴凉处 is used when discussing relief from heat or finding a comfortable place to sit outdoors.
Meaning: darkness where light is blocked (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of 阴 (yīn, shade/yin), 凉 (liáng, cool) and 处 (chù, place), literally meaning "shade/cool place".
Which one should you use?
While 阴凉处 (yīnliángchù) refers to a cool place in the shade, 阴影 (yīnyǐng) refers specifically to the dark shape or shadow cast by an object.
How do you pronounce it?
yīnliángchù
Did you know?
- In ancient Chinese cosmology, the side of a mountain that is in the shade is called the 'Yin side' 阴面, while the sunny side is the 'Yang side' 阳面.
- While 阴凉处 focuses on the temperature, the word for 'shadow' 阴影 is often used metaphorically to describe a psychological trauma or a 'dark cloud' hanging over someone's life.
- The word for 'cool' in 阴凉处, 凉, is often used in Chinese cuisine to describe 'refreshing' or 'cooling' foods that counteract 'heatiness' in the body.
Examples in context
- 这幅画的色调非常和谐。The color palette of this painting is very harmonious.
- 我正在学习如何更好地着色。I am learning how to shade better.
- 让我站在你的旁边，以便我能挡住烈日。Let me stand beside you so that I can block the strong sunlight.
- 请坐在阴凉处。Qǐng zuò zài yīnliángchù.Please sit in the shade.
- 阴凉处真的很舒服。Yīnliángchù zhēnde hěn shūfu.The shade is really comfortable.
- 我们去阴凉处避暑吧。Wǒmen qù yīnliángchù bìshǔ ba.Let's go to the shade to escape the heat.
Example conversation
A couple is walking in a park on a hot sunny day.
- 志强 Zhiqiang天气太热了，我们找个阴凉处吧。Tiānqì tài rè le, wǒmen zhǎo gè yīnliángchù ba.It's too hot, let's find some shade.
- 佳怡 Jiayi好呀，那棵大树下的阴凉处不错。Hǎo ya, nà kē dàshù xià de yīnliángchù bùcuò.Okay, the shade under that big tree looks good.
- 志强 Zhiqiang佳怡，你先坐到阴凉处休息一下。Jiāyí, nǐ xiān zuò dào yīnliángchù xiūxi yīxià.Jiayi, go sit in the shade and rest for a bit.
- 佳怡 Jiayi谢谢你，志强，这里真凉快。Xièxie nǐ, Zhìqiáng, zhèlǐ zhēn liángkuai.Thank you, Zhiqiang, it's really cool here.
