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有神 (yǒu shén) — spirited, lively (of art, performance, eyes); miraculous, divine (of events, powers)

Definition

Used as an adjective to describe a striking, vivid quality — performance, eyes, or art that feels animated and full of life. As a verb it can mean something miraculous or divinely inspired.

spiritedlively (of art, performance, eyes)miraculousdivine (of events, powers)

Examples

  • ，。
    Zhè fú huà yǒu le shén, kàn qǐ lái tè bié shēng dòng.
    This painting has gained spirit and looks especially vivid.
  • 有神，。
    Dà jiā dōu jué de zhè jiàn shì tài yǒu shén le, jiǎn zhí bù kě sī yì.
    Everyone thinks this matter is too miraculous, simply unbelievable.
  • 有神，。
    Tā de yǎn jing hěn yǒu shén, ràng rén yìn xiàng shēn kè.
    His eyes are very spirited, leaving a deep impression on people.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

有yǒuhave
神shénspirit

Having 神, spirit or divine power, makes something lively or miraculous.

Characters in this word

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
肉肉ròumeat
Sound part声符shēngfú
又
又yòu有yǒu
Same sound today

The form 有 combines 又, used for its sound, with a shape from 肉, 'meat'; the hand-holding-meat story is a folk explanation, not shown in the oldest shape.

Open 有 →

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
示示shìgod; deity
Sound part声符shēngfú
申
申shēn神shén
Same sound today

The older form 申 drew lightning, which the ancients regarded as divine; 神 adds 示 (god/deity) to mark that meaning.

Open 神 →
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