衔 (xián) — to hold in the mouth (e.g., a pipe, cigarette); to harbor, to bear (a feeling, e.g., resentment); to link up, to join (as in 衔接)
Definition
Literary/formal verb covering 'hold in the mouth,' 'harbor (a feeling),' and 'link/join.' Most everyday speech uses 衔接 (link) or 叼 (hold in mouth) instead.
verb
to hold in the mouth (e.g., a pipe, cigarette)to harborto bear (a feeling, e.g., resentment)to link upto join (as in 衔接)
Examples
- 衔。Tā zuǐ lǐ xián zhe yì zhī xuě jiā.He was holding a cigar in his mouth.
- 衔。Tā duì guò qù de shì xián hèn zài xīn.He harbors resentment in his heart over past events.
- 。Zhè liǎng tiáo dì tiě xiàn zài shì zhōng xīn xián jiē.These two subway lines connect at the city center.
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.
This origin belongs to the traditional form 銜; 衔 is its simplified writing.
The traditional form 銜 puts 金 with 行, with 金 giving the sound and 行 the meaning. The simplified 衔 is a later shorthand, so its parts are not the original pieces.
Appears in
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