adjective / noun HSK 4
Traditional 陰
cloudy · overcast · shady · yin (as in yin-yang) · negative · hidden
Meaning
阴 is a fundamental concept in Chinese philosophy representing the passive, dark, feminine, and cold principle. In everyday language, it commonly describes weather (cloudy/overcast) or places that lack direct sunlight (shady). It forms the complementary opposite to 阳 (yáng).
Usage
Most commonly used in weather reports (阴天 = cloudy day) and to describe shaded places. In traditional medicine and philosophy, it refers to the yin principle. Can also describe someone's personality as gloomy or sinister (阴险). Native speakers frequently use it in compound words rather than alone.
Examples
- 01今天是阴天，可能会下雨。, .Today is cloudy, it might rain.
- 02夏天我喜欢坐在树阴下乘凉。.In summer I like to sit in the shade of trees to cool off.
Common collocations
- 阴天cloudy day
- 阴凉cool and shady
- 阴险sinister; treacherous
- 阴阳yin and yang
Antonyms
Origin
The traditional character 陰 shows 阝(hill/mound) on the left and 侌 (clouds obscuring the sun) on the right, representing the shady side of a hill where sunlight doesn't reach.