胸襟 (xiōng jīn) — breadth of mind; magnanimity; (one's) ambition or aspiration

Definition

A literary word for the breadth of one's mind and character — both magnanimity and lofty ambition. Often paired with 宽广 to describe a person (especially a leader) of large vision.

noun
breadth of mindmagnanimity(one's) ambition or aspiration

Examples

  • 胸襟，。
    Tā xiōng jīn kāi kuò, cóng bú jì jiào xiǎo shì.
    He is broad-minded and never fusses over small matters.
  • 胸襟。
    Yí gè lǐng dǎo zhě yào yǒu kuān guǎng de xiōng jīn.
    A leader should have a broad mind.
  • 胸襟。
    Tā de xiōng jīn hé bào fù lìng rén jìng pèi.
    His ambition and aspiration are admirable.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

胸xiōngchest
襟jīnlapel

"胸" is the chest and "襟" is the lapel; together they suggest breadth of mind.

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
匈
匈xiōng胸xiōng
Same sound today

胸 adds 肉 (meat/flesh) to the original form 匈, which provides the sound.

Open 胸 →

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
⻂Written in full as衣yīclothing
Sound part声符shēngfú
禁
禁jìn襟jīn
Same sound today

襟 pairs ⻂ (clothing, full form 衣) with 禁 for the sound; it refers to the seam or collar of a garment.

Open 襟 →

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