音容宛在
yīn róng wǎn zài
the voice and face of the dead seem still with us
Character by character
音yīn
voice
voice
容róng
face
face
宛wǎn
as if
as if
在zài
still here
still here
Example
追悼会大厅正中挂着老人的遗像，上方是四个大字：“音容宛在”。
In the middle of the memorial hall hung the old man’s portrait, and above it four large characters: “His voice and face are with us still.”
Tone: positive (praise).
Usage and origin
Written on mourning banners, wreath ribbons and elegiac couplets, often paired with 风范长存 (his example lives on). 宛 means “as if”, as in 宛如. Only for the dead: never for someone who has merely moved away.
Learn this in Lesson 256 · HSK 9+: 悼词 (The eulogy)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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