缓一缓 (huǎn yī huǎn) — to take a short break; to rest a bit; to slow down; to put off slightly

Definition

A reduplicated verb meaning 'take a short break' or 'slow down / put something off briefly.' It describes pausing an activity to ease pace or delay action temporarily.

verb
to take a short breakto rest a bitto slow downto put off slightly

Examples

  • 缓一缓
    Nǐ tài lèi le, yīng gāi huǎn yī huǎn.
    You're too tired; you should take a break.
  • 缓一缓
    Shì qing bù jí, kě yǐ huǎn yī huǎn zài zuò.
    The matter isn't urgent; we can put it off and do it later.
  • 缓一缓
    Tā shēng qì de shí hou huì xiān huǎn yī huǎn, zài shuō huà.
    When he's angry, he first calms down a bit before speaking.

Origin

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 緩; 缓 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
silk
Sound part声符shēngfú
yuánhuǎn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 緩 pairs 糸 (silk) with 爰, which gives the sound; the simplified 缓 is a later shorthand.

Open 缓 →

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

一 is drawn as one horizontal stroke, marking the number one.

Open 一 →

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 緩; 缓 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
silk
Sound part声符shēngfú
yuánhuǎn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 緩 pairs 糸 (silk) with 爰, which gives the sound; the simplified 缓 is a later shorthand.

Open 缓 →
Appears in

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