吭 kēng throat
How to remember 吭: 口 mouth + 亢 high = throat. The singer opens her mouth for the high note, and the whole choir hears it crack deep in her throat.
Component breakdown
吭 = 口 mouth + 亢 high
- 口 mouth
- 亢 high
The singer opens her mouth for the high note, and the whole choir hears it crack deep in her throat.
How it is used
- Reading kēng: to utter a sound - nearly always negated - 一声不吭 (yìshēng-bùkēng) to not make a peep, 别吭声 (bié kēngshēng) don't say a word.
- Separate reading háng = throat, in 引吭高歌 (yǐnháng-gāogē) to sing loudly at the top of one's voice.
- kēng = make a sound (usually 'not a sound'); háng = throat. Two readings, two jobs.