语言 yǔyán language
How to remember 语言: 语 language + 言 words = language.
Characters
How it is used
- Language as a system or faculty - 学一门语言 (xué yì mén yǔyán) learn a language, 语言能力 (yǔyán nénglì) language ability.
- Broader than 话 (huà), which is a particular spoken tongue or 'words said' (说中国话 speak Chinese).
- Extends to non-verbal 'language' too - 身体语言 (shēntǐ yǔyán) body language, 编程语言 programming language.
Example sentences
- 你会几种语言？ Nǐ huì jǐzhǒng yǔyán?How many languages do you know?
- 她会十门语言。 Tā huì shímén yǔyán.She is able to speak ten languages.
- 你会说几种语言？ Nǐ huì shuō jǐ zhǒng yǔyán?How many languages do you speak?