玩味 (wán wèi) — to savor and ponder; to ruminate (on the subtleties of something, e.g., a text, art, or flavor)

Definition

玩味 means to savor and ponder the subtleties of something — a text, a flavor, or an artwork. It is a more literary, contemplative verb than simply 欣赏, and usually takes an abstract object (深意, 滋味, 意境).

verb
to savor and ponderto ruminate (on the subtleties of something, e.g., a text, art, or flavor)

Examples

  • 玩味。
    Tā xǐ huan zài hē chá de shí hou xì xì wán wèi qí zhōng de zī wèi.
    He likes to savor the subtle flavor while drinking tea.
  • ，玩味。
    Zhè piān wén zhāng yǔ yán jīng miào, zhí dé fǎn fù wán wèi.
    This article has exquisite language and is worth reading over and over again.
  • 。
    Tā zǐ xì wán le yí huì r wèi zhè duàn huà de shēn yì.
    He carefully pondered the deeper meaning of this passage for a while.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

玩wánplay with
味wèiflavor

玩 means to play with and 味 means flavor or meaning, so it suggests turning something over to savor it.

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.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
玉玉yùjade
Sound part声符shēngfú
元
元yuán玩wán
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

玩 pairs 玉 (jade) with 元 (yuán) for sound. The jade part points to toys made of jade.

Open 玩 →

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
口口kǒumouth
Sound part声符shēngfú
未
未wèi味wèi
Same sound today

味 combines 口 (mouth) with 未, which gives the sound wèi; the mouth part relates to taste.

Open 味 →

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