懒 (lǎn) — lazy
Definition
A casual, everyday adjective for 'lazy' — a person who doesn't want to work or move. 懒惰 is a more formal, written-style synonym meaning the same thing.
adjective
lazy
Easily confused
Examples
- 懒，。Tā tài lǎn le, zuò yè dōu bù xiǎng xiě.He is too lazy to even do his homework.
- 懒，。Wǒ jiā de māo hěn lǎn, yì tiān dào wǎn shuì jiào.My cat is very lazy; it sleeps all day.
- ，懒。Zhōu mò zǎo shàng wǒ yě bù xiǎng qǐ chuáng, yīn wèi tài lǎn le.On weekend mornings I don't want to get up either, because I'm too lazy.
Origin
Sound + meaning六书liùshū
形声xíngshēngMost characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.
This origin belongs to the traditional form 懶; 懒 is its simplified writing.
Sound part声符shēngfú
賴
賴lài懶lǎn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.
The traditional form 懶 pairs 忄 (heart) with 賴, which gives the sound; the simplified 懒 is a later shorthand.
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