语言

yǔyán · HSK 2

language

💬 语 = speak + 言 (words); 言 doubles the 'speech' sense — language

语 (speech/talk) pairs with 言 (word/say), so 语言 literally stacks two 'speaking' roots to mean 'language'. Pinyin yǔyán echoes the doubling: same vowel, both syllables about talk.

More Chinese words · How Chinese works