影
yǐng · shadow / film💡 How to pronounce
y → like 'y' in 'yes'. ǐng → like 'ing' in 'sing' but with a falling-rising tone.
📖 The Story
影 is a shadow — the dark shape that follows every light. The character combines 'scenery' (景) and 'hair' (彡) — like the shadow of a landscape cast by the sun. In Chinese philosophy, shadow and light are two sides of the same thing.
🎬 In Culture Today
Zhang Yimou's film Shadow (影) is entirely about this idea — a story of doubles, deception, and the thin line between light and dark. The character also means 'film' in Chinese (电影).
📚 Words
电影movie / film
影子shadow
影响influence / impact
摄影photography
📝 Example Sentences
我喜欢看电影。
I like watching movies.
地上有影子。
There is a shadow on the ground.