影子
yǐngzi/iŋ²¹⁴ d͡z̥ɹ̩⁴/
The Chinese word for shadow is 影子 (yǐngzi).
影子 is used to refer to the specific visual representation of a shadow cast by a person or an object.
Meaning: area protected by an obstacle (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 影子 is composed of the character 影, meaning shadow or reflection and the morphological suffix 子.
Which one should you use?
While 影子 refers to a specific visual shadow, the term 阴影 is used to encompass both the physical shade or darkness and metaphorical aspects, such as feelings of gloominess.
How does it change in a sentence?
To indicate possession or a relationship, such as saying 'the shadow's shape', add the particle 的 after 影子 to form 影子的.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is yǐngzi and the IPA is /iŋ²¹⁴ dz̥ɹ̩⁴/.
Did you know?
- In Chinese folklore, the 影子 is often considered a part of a person's soul. Stepping on someone's shadow was traditionally seen as a gesture of disrespect or an act of stealing their life force.
- In Chinese, the word for 'shadow' 影 is also the same character used for 'image' or 'reflection' in a movie, which is why films are called 电影 (diànyǐng), or 'electric shadow'.
- China is the birthplace of shadow puppetry, known as 皮影戏. These puppets are made of translucent leather, making the 'shadow' the primary medium of storytelling for centuries.
Examples in context
- 她害怕自己的影子。She is afraid of her own shadow.This sentence shows how to express a fear of one's own 影子.Tatoeba #4262218 by notabene, translation #314637 by royhuggins
- 樹投下長長的影子。The tree cast a long shadow.This sentence illustrates a tree casting a long 影子.Tatoeba #5316636 by xjjAstrus, translation #43781 by Swift
- 她連自己的影子都怕。She's even afraid of her own shadow.This sentence is useful for expressing that someone is even afraid of their own 影子.Tatoeba #13519206 by LeviHighway, translation #13237754 by atitarev
- 他的影子 在墙上投射出了一个长长的身影。His shadow cast a long silhouette on the wall.
- 我看到 他的影子 在一旁移动。I saw his shadow moving beside him.
- 那个建筑物投下 阴影 ，让人感觉凉爽。That building casts a shadow and makes people feel cool.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Xiaowen and Junjie are walking in the park on a sunny day.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen你看，我的影子好长！Nǐ kàn, wǒ de yǐngzi hǎo cháng!Look, my shadow is so long!
- 俊杰 Junjie是因为现在的太阳很低。Shì yīnwèi xiànzài de tàiyáng hěn dī.It's because the sun is very low right now.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen快看，你的影子在追我！Kuài kàn, nǐ de yǐngzi zài zhuī wǒ!Quick, look, your shadow is chasing me!
- 俊杰 Junjie哈哈，这太有趣了。Hāhā, zhè tài yǒuqù le.Haha, this is too funny.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 影子, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
