阴

• Pinyin: yīn
• Hanzi breakdown: 阴 = 阝 (hill radical) + 月 (moon), simplified from 陰, representing the shaded side

Meaning

Cloudy; overcast; shady. Describes weather without sunshine or areas blocked from light.

In weather contexts, describes an overcast sky without rain. Also used for shady areas (阴凉 — cool shade). Part of the philosophical concept 阴阳 (yin and yang), where 阴 represents darkness, cold, and passivity.

Examples

1. 今天天气是阴的，看不到太阳。 The weather is overcast today — you can't see the sun.
2. 夏天坐在树阴下很凉快。 It's nice and cool sitting in the tree shade in summer.
3. 天气预报说明天阴转多云。 The weather forecast says tomorrow will be overcast turning to partly cloudy.

Usage Guide

Context: weather, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 今天是阴天，别忘了带伞。(It's overcast today — don't forget your umbrella.)
• 找个阴凉的地方坐一会儿。(Let's find a shady spot to sit for a while.)

Don't Say

• 今天很阴雨。(Don't combine 阴 and 雨 as a single adjective — say 阴天 for overcast or 下雨 for rain separately.)

Origin & History

Originally written 陰, from 阝 (hill radical) + 侌 (phonetic with shadow meaning). Refers to the shaded side of a hill — the side facing away from the sun.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal