呜咽 (wūyè): to sob

Meanings

Tā rěn bú zhù wūyè qǐlái.

She couldn't help but start sobbing.

Háizi zài jiǎoluò lǐ wūyè.

The child was whimpering in the corner.

usage

呜咽 describes quiet, choked-up crying — not loud wailing. It conveys suppressed grief or sadness.

呜 wū

咽 yàn