翔 (xiáng) — to soar, to glide (used in compounds)
Definition
A bound literary verb meaning 'to soar/glide', almost always used as the second half of a word like 翱翔 (áoxiáng). The examples here show it splitting off a reduplicated verb — a classic 离合词 pattern.
bound form
to soarto glide (used in compounds)
Examples
- 。Tā xǐ huan zài tiān kōng zhōng fēi xiáng.He likes to soar in the sky.
- 。Nà zhī niǎo zài hú miàn shàng huá xiáng.That bird is gliding over the lake.
- 。Xióng yīng zài lán tiān zhōng áo xiáng.The eagle soars in the blue sky.
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.
翔 pairs 羽 (feathers) with 羊, which gives the sound. The feathers part connects to soaring.
Appears in
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