语
language; words; saying
At a glance · 语
Evolution of the glyph
Five stages, from a sketch of the real object to regular script — tap a stage, drag the timeline, or play the animation.
Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seenOracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCESeal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCEClerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CERegular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE
⚠ Some ancient forms are not attested：oracle bone form、seal script form。No excavated oracle bone / seal artifact is attested for this character yet; we leave it blank rather than fabricate.
繁体「語」小篆从言（讠，意符，言语），吾声，本义为谈论、话语。简体「语」同。形声清晰。
What the sketch shows
Origins & notes
本义为言语、谈论。
Structure
形声字，从言（意符，言语），吾（wú）为声符。
At a glance
Pinyinyǔ
Radical讠
Strokes9
UnicodeU+8BED
Character type形声
Theme动作
Six languages, one character
Each page offers hreflang versions; switching language keeps the glyphs and meanings aligned.
English
language; words; saying
Language, words, a saying, or expression.
Français
langue; mots; dicton
Langue, mots, parole ou expression.
Español
lenguaje; palabras; dicho
Lenguaje, palabras, dicho o expresión.
العربية
لغة؛ كلمات؛ قول
لغة أو كلمات أو قول أو تعبير.
Русский
язык; слова; выражение
Язык, слова, изречение или выражение.
Common words
- 语言yǔ yánlanguage
- 语句yǔ jùsentence