呻吟 shēnyín to moan
to moan; to groan
How to remember 呻吟: 呻 to moan + 吟 to sing = to moan.
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How it is used
- To moan/groan from pain or distress - 痛苦地呻吟 (tòngkǔ de shēnyín) groan in pain.
- Also in 无病呻吟 (wúbìng shēnyín), to moan without being ill - i.e. make a fuss over nothing / write mawkish, empty verse. Written.