Meaning
言 is a classical Chinese character meaning 'word' or 'speech'. As a standalone word, it appears mainly in formal, literary, or classical contexts. In modern Mandarin, it's more commonly seen as a component in compound words related to language and speaking.
Usage
While 言 alone is rare in everyday speech, it's extremely common in compounds like 语言 (language), 发言 (to speak), and 名言 (famous saying). Native speakers recognize it immediately in written text but would typically use 说 (shuō) or 话 (huà) in casual conversation when referring to speaking or words.
Examples
- 01他的一言一行都值得我们学习。.His every word and deed is worth learning from.
- 02这个道理不言而喻。.This principle goes without saying.
Common collocations
- 言行words and deeds
- 言论speech, opinion
- 言语spoken language, words
- 不言而喻it goes without saying
Origin
The character 言 originally depicted a mouth (口) with sound waves emerging, representing speech. It serves as a semantic component (radical) in hundreds of characters related to speaking, language, and communication.