神往 (shén wǎng) — to be fascinated, to be charmed (by a place, memory, or ideal)

Definition

Literary 'to be fascinated, enchanted' — used for places, memories, or ideals that captivate the imagination. Typically appears with 令人, not as a standalone main verb in everyday speech.

verb
to be fascinatedto be charmed (by a place, memory, or ideal)

Examples

  • 。
    Nà lǐ de fēng jǐng lìng rén shén wǎng.
    The scenery there is fascinating.
  • 神往。
    Tā duì gǔ dài wén huà shí fēn shén wǎng.
    He is deeply fascinated by ancient culture.
  • ，。
    Tóng nián shí guāng lìng rén shén wǎng, ràng rén huái niàn.
    Childhood days are enchanting and make one nostalgic.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
主谓zhǔwèiSubject + predicate

A small sentence frozen into a word: something, and what it does or is.

神shénspirit
往wǎnggo

“神” (spirit) + “往” (go) suggests the spirit travels toward what one admires.

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 →

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
止止zhǐfoot
Sound part声符shēngfú
王
王wáng往wǎng
Same sound today

The form that became 往 paired 止, a foot, with 王 for the sound; a stepping part was later added, and the right side changed.

Open 往 →

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