聲音 / 声音
shēngyīn
The English phrase 'sound' (noun) can be translated into Chinese using several forms, most commonly 聲音 / 声音 (shēngyīn). Wiktionary also lists 響 / 响 (xiǎng) and 音聲 / 音声 (yīnshēng).
Meaning: sensation perceived by the ear (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 聲音 / 声音 | shēngyīn | |
| 響 / 响 | xiǎng | |
| 音聲 / 音声 | yīnshēng | |
| 聲音 / 声音 | siaⁿ-im | Hokkien |
| 聲 / 声 | seng / siaⁿ | Hokkien |
The term refers to a sensation perceived by the ear. In a formal context, the word 音响 is used specifically to refer to audio or sound systems.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Hong Kong, the expression 音响器材 is used to refer to sound equipment or audiovisual devices.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation for 聲音 / 声音 is shēngyīn.
Did you know?
- In traditional Chinese philosophy, the 'sound' of a bell or stone was believed to harmonize the spirit and align the listener with the universe.
- The term 音色 refers to the 'color' of a sound, describing the specific timbre or quality of a voice or instrument.
- The character 响 is a phono-semantic compound, where the right side indicates the sound and the left side, 'mouth' 口, provides the meaning.
Examples in context
- 你听得见那个声音吗？(Nǐ tīng dé jiàn nàgè shēngyīn ma?)Can you hear that sound?
- 演唱会上的音响效果太惊人了！(Yǎnchànghuì shàng de yīnxiǎng xiàoguǒ tài jīngrénle!)The sound system at the concert was incredible!
- 那是什么奇怪的声音？(Nà shì shénme qíguài de shēngyīn?)What's that strange sound?
- 风吹过，传来了微弱的声息。(Fēng chuīguò, chuánláile wēiruò de shēngxī.)The wind whispered a faint sound
- 海浪拍打的声音好美丽哦！(Hǎilàng pāidǎ de shēngyīn hǎo měilì ō!)The sound of waves crashing is beautiful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sound” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
