温 (wēn) — warm (in temperature); mild (of temperature or temperament)

Definition

Literary/formal adjective for 'warm' or 'mild' — usually appears in compounds like 温和 (mild) and 温柔 (gentle). For everyday 'warm' (food, water, weather) 现代汉语 prefers 暖和 or 温暖.

adjective
warm (in temperature)mild (of temperature or temperament)
Easily confused

Examples

  • 温，。
    Zhè bēi shuǐ hái wēn zhe, kě yǐ hē.
    This glass of water is still warm, you can drink it.
  • ，。
    Jīn tiān de tiān qì hěn wēn hé, shì hé chū qù zǒu zǒu.
    Today's weather is mild, suitable for going out for a walk.
  • ，。
    Tā de xìng gé hěn wēn hé, cóng lái bù fā pí qi.
    His temperament is mild, he never loses his temper.

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 溫; 温 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 溫 is based on an older form 𥁕, which drew a person bathing in a container full of warm water. The simplified 温 is a later variant.

Appears in
Weather

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