影响 (yǐngxiǎng)

Influence or impact refers to the effect that one person, thing, or event has on another, shaping its development, behavior, or outcome.

Meanings

[verb] to influence; to affect; to have an impact on
[noun] influence; impact; effect

Example Sentences

气候变化正在深刻影响全球的生态系统。 Qìhòu biànhuà zhèngzài shēnkè yǐngxiǎng quánqiú de shēngtài xìtǒng. Climate change is profoundly affecting global ecosystems.

父母的言行举止对孩子有着深远的影响。 Fùmǔ de yán xíng jǔzhǐ duì háizi yǒuzhe shēnyuǎn de yǐngxiǎng. The words and actions of parents have a far-reaching influence on their children.

这场经济危机对全球各国都产生了负面影响。 Zhè chǎng jīngjì wēijī duì quánqiú gèguó dōu chǎnshēngle fùmiàn yǐngxiǎng. This economic crisis had a negative impact on countries around the world.

社交媒体对年轻人的价值观影响越来越大。 Shèjiāo méitǐ duì niánqīng rén de jiàzhíguān yǐngxiǎng yuèláiyuè dà. Social media's influence on the values of young people is growing.

他的老师对他一生的发展产生了积极的影响。 Tā de lǎoshī duì tā yīshēng de fāzhǎn chǎnshēngle jījí de yǐngxiǎng. His teacher had a positive influence on his development throughout his life.

噪音影响了居民的睡眠质量和生活品质。 Zàoyīn yǐngxiǎngle jūmín de shuìmián zhìliàng hé shēnghuó pǐnzhì. Noise has affected residents' sleep quality and quality of life.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
产生影响 (chǎnshēng yǐngxiǎng)	to produce/have an influence
深远影响 (shēnyuǎn yǐngxiǎng)	far-reaching influence
负面影响 (fùmiàn yǐngxiǎng)	negative influence
积极影响 (jījí yǐngxiǎng)	positive influence
重大影响 (zhòngdà yǐngxiǎng)	significant influence
影响力 (yǐngxiǎng lì)	influence; clout

Usage Notes

影响 is one of the most fundamental verbs in academic and formal Chinese. As a verb, the structure is X 影响 Y (X influences Y). As a noun, it takes measure words like 重大影响 (significant impact) or is counted as 一定的影响 (a certain influence).

Key compounds include 影响力 (influence/clout as a quality someone possesses) and 有影响力的人 (influential person). Note the difference between 影响 (neutral -- to affect) and 影响力 (the power or strength of influence as an attribute).

Memory Hook

影 (shadow) + 响 (sound/echo) -- just as a shadow follows wherever you go and a sound echoes after it's made, influence follows and reverberates from its source.