恙 (yàng) — (bound form) illness, misfortune (only in fixed expressions)

Definition

恙 is a bound (bookish) word meaning 'illness, misfortune' that appears only in fixed phrases like 安然无恙 ('safe and sound') and 别来无恙 ('have you been well?'). Modern speakers don't use it on its own.

bound form
illnessmisfortune (only in fixed expressions)
Easily confused

Examples

  • ，？
    Lǎo péng you, bié lái wú yàng?
    Old friend, have you been well since we last met?
  • ，。
    Tā yí lù píng ān, ān rán wú yàng.
    He had a safe journey and arrived safe and sound.
  • ，。
    Jiǔ bié chóng féng, kàn dào nǐ ān rán wú yàng wǒ jiù fàng xīn le.
    After a long separation, seeing you safe and sound puts my mind at ease.

Origin

Sound + meaning
六书liùshū
形声xíngshēng

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
心心xīn
Sound part声符shēngfú
羊
羊yáng恙yàng
Same sound today

恙 is built from 心, the heart part, and 羊, which gives the sound.

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