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含 (hán) — to keep in the mouth; to contain

Definition

含 means 'to contain' — used for both holding something in the mouth and for things containing ingredients or meaning. Lighter and more general than 包含 (formal 'include') or 蕴含 (abstract/imbued qualities).

verb
to keep in the mouthto contain
Easily confused

Examples

  • 含。
    Tā zuǐ lǐ hán zhe yí kuài táng.
    He is keeping a piece of candy in his mouth.
  • 含。
    Zhè xiē shuǐ guǒ hán hěn duō wéi shēng sù.
    These fruits contain a lot of vitamins.
  • ？
    Nǐ zhè jù huà hán yǒu shén me yì si?
    What meaning does this sentence contain?

Origin

Sound + meaning
六书liùshū
形声xíngshēng

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
口口kǒumouth
Sound part声符shēngfú
今
今jīn含hán
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

含 is built from 口 (mouth) and 今 (jīn). The 口 part is about the mouth, while 今 gives the sound.

Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 5

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