HSK Level 2

小声

xiǎo shēng

in a low voice; in whispers

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Example Sentences

他小声地对我说。

tā xiǎoshēng de duì wǒ shuō.

He whispered to me.

她在图书馆里小声地说话。

tā zài túshūguǎn lǐ xiǎoshēng de shuōhuà.

She spoke softly in the library.

我小声地笑了。

wǒ xiǎoshēng de xiào le.

I chuckled.

Synonyms

轻声 (qīng shēng)

soft voice

低语 (dī yǔ)

whisper

Antonyms

大声 (dà shēng)

loud

高声 (gāo shēng)

loud

Etymology & Components

The Chinese word 小声 (xiǎoshēng) is composed of two characters: 小 (xiǎo), meaning "small" or "little," and 声 (shēng), meaning "sound" or "voice." Together, these characters form the compound word 小声, which literally means "small voice" or "soft voice."The word 小声 is often used to describe a person who is speaking in a low or quiet voice. It can also be used to describe a sound that is not very loud. For example, you might say 小声说话 (xiǎoshēng shuōhuà) to tell someone to speak more quietly, or you might say 小声的音乐 (xiǎoshēng de yīnyuè) to describe music that is playing softly.The word 小声 can also be used in a figurative sense to describe someone who is shy or timid. For example, you might say 他很小声 (tā hěn xiǎoshēng) to describe someone who is not very outgoing or talkative.The word 小声 is a common word in Chinese and is used in a variety of contexts. It is important to understand the meaning of this word in order to communicate effectively in Chinese.