Meaning
响 describes something making a sound or noise, or describes something as being loud. As a verb, it means to produce sound, ring, or go off (like an alarm). As an adjective, it means loud or sonorous. It's commonly used for bells, alarms, phones, and other objects that produce sound.
Usage
Native speakers frequently use 响 to describe sounds suddenly occurring or objects making noise. It often appears in compounds like 响亮 (loud and clear) or 响声 (sound, noise). When describing phone rings or alarms, 响 is the default verb. The adjective usage typically requires degree modifiers like 很响 (very loud).
Examples
- 01电话响了，你快接一下。, .The phone is ringing, answer it quickly.
- 02外面的音乐太响了，我没法专心学习。, .The music outside is too loud, I can't concentrate on studying.
Measure words
- 声一声响
Common collocations
- 响起to ring out, to sound
- 很响very loud
- 响声sound, noise
- 打响to make famous, to fire (a shot)
Antonyms
Origin
The traditional character 響 contains 音 (sound) and 鄉 (village/locality), suggesting sound spreading through an area. The simplified form 响 uses 口 (mouth) and 向 (direction), evoking sound emanating outward.