青筋 (qīng jīn) — blue veins (visible veins, especially when protruding)

Definition

Refers to visible, often bulging blue veins under the skin, commonly noticed on the forehead, hands, or arms when exerting effort, being angry, or aging.

noun
blue veins (visible veins, especially when protruding)
Measure word · 条

Examples

  • ，青筋。
    Tā shēng qì de shí hou, é tóu shàng de qīng jīn dōu bào qǐ lái le.
    When he gets angry, the blue veins on his forehead bulge out.
  • 青筋，。
    Tā shǒu shàng de qīng jīn fēi cháng míng xiǎn, yí kàn jiù zhī dào jīng cháng yùn dòng.
    The blue veins on his hands are very obvious; you can tell he exercises often.
  • 青筋，。
    Yī shēng qīng qīng àn le yí xià tā gē bo shàng de qīng jīn, jiǎn chá xuè yè xún huán.
    The doctor gently pressed the blue veins on his arm to check blood circulation.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

青qīngblue
筋jīnvein

青 gives the blue-green color, while 筋 names the vein or sinew.

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.

An early form of 青 combined 生 and 井, both used for sound; the modern form has changed.

Open 青 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

筋 pairs 竹 (bamboo) with 𠛧 (peel), giving the idea of sinewy fibers from peeled bamboo.

Open 筋 →

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