言
The 言 radical
Speech, words
Variants: 讠
Memory hook
A mouth giving off sound
The 言 radical (read yán) means speech, words. The HSK 3.0 data contains 74 characters and 558 words built on it — learning them together is far faster than one character at a time.
Practise the 言 radical
Study this radical's 558 words with flashcards or a quiz.
The free plan drills 15 words per radical. Upgrade to Premium
Characters with the 言 radical
74 charactersThe free plan shows 9 characters per HSK level (53/74 characters of this radical).
HSK 1· 9 characters
HSK 1认
to recognize, to acknowledge
记
to remember; to memorize
识
to know, to recognize
诉
to complain, to sue
试
to try, to test
话
words; speech
语
language
说
to say, to speak
请
please
HSK 2· 9 characters
HSK 2言
words; speech
计
to count; to calculate
讨
to demand; to ask for
让
to let; to allow; to yield
讲
to speak; to tell
许
to allow; to permit
论
to discuss; to debate
词
word
该
should; ought to; must
HSK 3· 9 characters
HSK 3警
to warn, be vigilant
订
to order; to subscribe; to book
训
to train, instruct
议
to discuss, deliberate
设
to establish, set up
访
to visit, call on
证
to prove; to demonstrate
评
to critique, to comment on
误
to mistake; mistaken; error
HSK 4· 4 characters
HSK 4译
to translate, to interpret
诗
poem, poetry
诚
honest
谓
to be called, to be named
HSK 5· 4 characters
HSK 5诊
medical examination
询
to ask
详
detailed, meticulous
谊
affection, kindness
HSK 6· 9 characters
HSK 6誉
reputation; prestige
讯
news; information
诞
birth, birthday
诸
various; all
诺
promise; commitment
谅
to forgive, to be understanding
谋
scheme; plot; plan
谐
harmonious; in harmony
谦
humble; modest
HSK 7-9· 9 characters
HSK 7-9誓
oath, vow
譬
example
讥
to mock, to ridicule
讳
to be taboo, to avoid mentioning
讶
surprised
讹
mistaken; erroneous
讼
to litigate, to bring a lawsuit
讽
to satirize, to mock
诀
knack, method
Vocabulary with the 言 radical
558 wordsWords containing at least one character with the 言 radical, ordered by HSK level.
The free plan shows 9 words per HSK level (63/558 words of this radical).
to go to class, to attend class
to finish class, to get out of class
to tell (someone)
foreign language
to forget
to make a phone call
Chinese (language)
telephone
knowledge
perhaps; maybe
to listen to a lecture
to hear of; to hear that
dialogue; conversation
novel
should; ought to
to thank; gratitude
Mandarin; standard spoken Chinese
for example; for instance
no matter; regardless of
traffic police
meeting; conference
legend; folklore
to guarantee; to assure
schoolwork; homework; lessons
to speak (at a meeting); a statement
to deny; denial
suggestion; advice
generally, usually
to argue, to debate
accounting
to formulate, to draw up
monotonous, boring
spoken language, oral speech
to train
training class, training course
common knowledge, general knowledge
in a word, simply put
not allow
controversy
talks
to assess, to estimate
recognized, acknowledged
in total, adding up to
Chinese language (term for Chinese, common in Southeast Asia)
agreement
rumor, hearsay
to allow, to permit
besides, moreover
to go on an official visit, to make a state visit
to coordinate; to harmonize
to forgive, to pardon
spokesperson
oral exam, oral interview
honor, reputation
to generalize mechanically
every word and every deed
not to say a word
to appeal (a court decision)
to adjust upward (salary, price, rate, etc.)
subconscious
to lower, to reduce
outrageous, unreasonable
inconceivable, extraordinary
Why learn vocabulary by the 言 radical?
The 言 radical hints at the meaning speech, words. When you meet an unfamiliar character carrying it, you already know part of its meaning before reaching for a dictionary — which is why learners who know their radicals move faster.
How to study: read the memory hook, skim the 74 characters to spot the pattern, then drill the 558 words with flashcards. Spaced repetition brings each word back exactly when you need it.