HSK 3 · Chinese hanzi
言 — word
- Reading
- yán
- Meaning
- word; speech; to speak
- HSK level
- HSK 3
- Language
- Chinese
About this hanzi
言 is a chinese hanzi character commonly studied at the HSK 3 level. Its primary reading is yán and it means word; speech; to speak. To master it, see it in real Chinese content — import an article or YouTube video into InputDojo and every occurrence becomes a one-tap lookup.
言 appears in everyday chinese words such as 语言 (language), 发言 (speak, make a speech) and 留言 (leave a message).
Chinese words containing 言
Frequently asked questions
What does 言 mean in Chinese?
言 means word; speech; to speak in Chinese. It is one of the HSK 3 hanzi every learner meets at that level.
How is 言 read?
言 is read yán. Reading it inside real words — 语言 and 发言 and more — is the fastest way to remember it.
What level is 言 — is it HSK 3?
Yes. 言 is on the official HSK 3 hanzi list, so it can appear in that exam's reading and vocabulary sections.
How do you use 言 in a word?
A common word containing 言 is 语言 (yǔyán) — "language". More examples are listed below, each with a one-tap dictionary entry.
How do I learn 言 effectively?
Read it in context. Import any Chinese article or video into InputDojo and every occurrence of 言 becomes a one-tap lookup with SRS flashcards, so you meet it in real sentences instead of a list.
More HSK 3 hanzi
Learn every HSK hanzi in context
InputDojo gives you the full HSK 1–9 hanzi list — plus one-tap lookups in any real Chinese content. Free to start.
Start free