慢 (màn) — slow
Definition
Basic word for 'slow' — speed of movement, speech, or pace. Plain and everyday; 缓慢 is more formal/written, 迟 can mean 'late' rather than 'slow'.
adjective
slow
Easily confused
Examples
- 慢。Qǐng shuō màn yì diǎn.Please speak a little slower.
- 慢。Tā zǒu dé hěn màn.He walks very slowly.
- 慢。Jīn tiān chē tài màn le.The car is too slow today.
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.
慢 pairs 忄 (heart) with 曼 (màn). The heart part points to a manner or sluggish behavior, while 曼’s meaning “long, extended” adds the sense of taking a long time.
Appears in
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