疼 (téng) — to hurt, to be sore; to love dearly, to dote on
Definition
疼 is everyday 'hurt/sore' (it hurts, ache). It's broader than 痛 (tòng), which is more intense or formal and also means 'bitterly'. 疼 also means 'dote on' a child or close one.
to hurtto be soreto love dearlyto dote on
Easily confused
Examples
- 疼。Wǒ de tóu hěn téng.My head hurts a lot.
- 疼。Tā téng dé kū le.He hurt so much he cried.
- 疼。Bà ba hěn téng nǚ ér.Dad dotes on his daughter.
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.
Meaning part形符xíngfú
疒疒nèsickness
Sound part声符shēngfú
冬
冬dōng疼téng
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.
疼 pairs 疒, a sickness marker, with 冬, which supplies the sound.
Appears in
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