谐音

諧音

xiéyīn

noun #11,203

Meanings

1 homophone
2 homonym
3 harmonic (in acoustics)

Characters

harmonious; in agreement

Examples

中国人过年不送钟，因为"送钟"和"送终"是谐音。

Zhōngguó rén guònián bù sòng zhōng, yīnwèi "sòng zhōng" hé "sòng zhōng" shì xiéyīn.

Chinese people don't give clocks as gifts for New Year, because 'giving a clock' sounds the same as 'attending a funeral.'

很多网络用语都是谐音梗。

Hěn duō wǎngluò yòngyǔ dōu shì xiéyīn gěng.

A lot of internet slang is based on homophones.

Tips

culture

Homophones are deeply important in Chinese culture. The number 8 (八 bā) is lucky because it sounds like 发 (fā, to prosper). The number 4 (四 sì) is avoided because it sounds like 死 (sǐ, death). Many taboos and traditions revolve around 谐音.

Stroke Order

谐 xié

音 yīn