言辞
yán cí · HSK 7
words
🗣️ 言辞 = 言 (speech) + 辞 (diction/words) = the words one uses
言 means speech or words; 辞 means diction or phrasing. Together 言辞 is the actual wording of what someone says. Note 辞 also shows up in 辞职 (resign) and 辞典 (dictionary), always tied to words.
辞 — 舌 (tongue) + 辛 (bitter/blade)
Originally written 辭, depicting hands sorting tangled threads beside 辛 (a knife or judgment), meaning to settle disputes with words. The modern simplified form replaces the left side with 舌 (tongue), reinforcing the speech sense. Meanings extended from 'legal statement' to 'words, phrases, to take leave.'