(yǒng) — (bound form) to chant, to recite poetically

Definition

咏 (yǒng) is a bound literary/poetic form meaning 'to chant or recite in verse' — almost always combined with 吟 or 歌, and used in classical-style writing rather than everyday speech.

bound form
to chantto recite poetically

Examples

  • Tā xǐ huan gē yǒng gǔ diǎn shī gē.
    He likes to chant classical poems.
  • Nà wèi shī rén zhèng zài yín yǒng zì jǐ de xīn zuò.
    That poet is reciting his new work in poetic form.
  • Zhè shǒu yǒng tàn diào fēi cháng gǎn rén.
    This aria is very moving.

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.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 詠; 咏 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
Sound part声符shēngfú
yǒngyǒng
Same sound today

The traditional form 詠 behind 咏 is made of 言, relating to speech, and 永, suggesting its pronunciation.

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