绚烂 (xuàn làn) — splendid, gorgeous (of colors, lights, scenes) | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

Literary word for 'splendid, brilliant' colors, lights, or scenes. More elevated and written than plain 漂亮, and emphasizes dazzling color or light rather than overall beauty.

adjective

splendidgorgeous (of colors, lights, scenes)

Examples

绚烂。
Yè kōng zhōng zhàn fàng zhe xuàn làn de yān huā.
Splendid fireworks are blossoming in the night sky.
绚烂。
Xī yáng bǎ tiān kōng rǎn dé shí fēn xuàn làn.
The sunset dyed the sky into something very gorgeous.
绚烂。
Tā yòng xuàn làn de sè cǎi miáo huì le yì fú huà.
She painted a picture with gorgeous colors.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

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

绚xuàngorgeous

绚 (gorgeous) and 烂 (bright) combine to mean splendid and dazzling.

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 絢; 绚 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

糸糸mì

Sound part声符shēngfú

旬

旬xún絢xuàn

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 絢 uses 糸 (silk) for meaning and 旬 for sound; the simplified 绚 is a shorthand.

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 爛; 烂 is its simplified writing.

火闌爛

Meaning part形符xíngfú

火火huǒfire

Sound part声符shēngfú

闌

闌lán爛làn

Same sound today

The form 爛 pairs 火 (fire) with 闌 as the sound part; this explains 爛, not the simplified 烂.

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