语音

• Pinyin: yǔ yīn
• Hanzi breakdown: 语 = 讠(speech) + 吾 (phonetic), language; 音 = 立 (stand) + 日 (sun), sound

Meaning

Pronunciation; phonology; voice; speech sound. Refers to the sound system of a language or to synthesised/recorded voice.

In linguistics, 语音 refers to the phonological system of a language. In everyday technology contexts, it is widely used for voice features: 语音识别 (speech recognition), 语音助手 (voice assistant), 语音消息 (voice message). 语音 is more technical than 发音, which simply means pronunciation.

Examples

1. 手机上的语音助手越来越智能，能识别多种方言和口音。 The voice assistant on mobile phones is becoming increasingly intelligent, able to recognise various dialects and accents.
2. 学习普通话时，语音的准确性直接影响到别人能否听懂你。 When learning Mandarin, the accuracy of pronunciation directly affects whether others can understand you.
3. 这款软件可以把输入的文字自动转换成语音朗读出来。 This software can automatically convert typed text into spoken voice and read it aloud.

Usage Guide

Context: technology, linguistics, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 他的普通话语音很标准，听起来非常清晰。(His Mandarin pronunciation is very standard and sounds very clear.)
• 这款应用支持语音输入，非常方便。(This app supports voice input, which is very convenient.)

Don't Say

• 将'语音'和'发音'完全等同使用 (Don't treat 语音 and 发音 as identical — 语音 refers to the sound system of a language or to voice technology, while 发音 refers to how an individual pronounces something)

Origin & History

A compound of 语 (language/speech) and 音 (sound/music; 立 stand + 日 sun, originally depicting a sound rising up). Together they refer to the sounds of language.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal