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温馨 (wēn xīn) — warm and cozy (of atmosphere, environment); heartwarming (of feelings, gestures)

Definition

温馨 describes a warm, cozy mood or atmosphere (a home, family feeling) — not physical heat like 暖和/温暖. Often pairs with nouns like 气氛, 家庭, 回忆.

adjective
warm and cozy (of atmosphere, environment)heartwarming (of feelings, gestures)

Examples

  • 温馨。
    Zhè jiā jiǔ diàn de fáng jiān bù zhì dé hěn wēn xīn.
    The room decoration of this hotel is very warm and cozy.
  • 温馨。
    Tā de yì fān huà ràng wǒ gǎn dào shí fēn wēn xīn.
    Her words made me feel very heartwarming.
  • 温馨。
    Wǒ xǐ huan wēn xīn de jiā tíng fēn wéi.
    I like a warm and cozy family atmosphere.

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wēnwarm
馨xīnfragrant

温馨 blends 温, warmth, with 馨, a pleasant fragrance, to suggest a cozy feeling.

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.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
香香xiāngsweet
Sound part声符shēngfú
殸
殸qìng馨xīn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

馨 combines 香, for sweet fragrance, with 殸, which gives the character its sound.

Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9Emotions & Feelings

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