神威 (shén wēi) — divine might; supernatural power; awe-inspiring power

Definition

A literary, awe-inspiring term for 'divine might' — supernatural power wielded by gods or legendary warriors. Far more elevated and fictional than everyday words for strength or power.

noun
divine mightsupernatural powerawe-inspiring power

Examples

  • 神威。
    Zhè ge shén xiān de shén wēi zhēn shì wú rén néng bǐ.
    The divine might of this immortal is truly unmatched.
  • 神威，。
    Tā yòng shén wēi yì huī shǒu, jiù bǎ dí rén dǎ bài le.
    With a wave of his hand using his divine power, he defeated the enemy.
  • 神威。
    Zhè bǎ dāo yōng yǒu gǔ dài zhàn shén de shén wēi.
    This sword possesses the divine might of the ancient war god.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

神shéndivine/god
威wēimight/awe

“神” gives the sense of divine or supernatural, and “威” gives might or awe, so the word means awe-inspiring power.

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
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 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

威 is made by combining 戌 and 女.

Open 威 →

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