TongTong
Sign in

温顺 (wēn shùn) — docile, meek

Definition

Means 'docile, gentle, and easy to manage' — typically used for animals or a person's temperament, with a slightly positive tone (compliant but not weak). The 'filial' sense of 顺 is not covered here.

adjective
docilemeek

Examples

  • 温顺，。
    Zhè zhī xiǎo gǒu fēi cháng wēn shùn, cóng bú luàn jiào.
    This puppy is very docile and never barks randomly.
  • 温顺，。
    Tā xìng gé wēn shùn, dà jiā dōu hěn xǐ huan tā.
    She has a meek personality, and everyone likes her.
  • 温顺，。
    Nà pǐ mǎ fēi cháng wēn shùn, xiǎo hái yě néng qí.
    That horse is very docile, so even a child can ride it.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

温wēngentle
顺shùncompliant

温 means gentle and 顺 means compliant, so the idea is docile behavior.

Characters in this word

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.

Open 温 →

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 順; 顺 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
頁頁yè
Sound part声符shēngfú
川
川chuān順shùn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 順 pairs 川 (river), which gives the sound, with 頁 (head); the picture is a head in a river, following the current. The simplified 顺 is a shorthand.

Open 顺 →
Appears in
Personality & Traits

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.