(xiàn) — filling, stuffing (for dumplings, pies, etc.)

Definition

Examples

  • Zhè ge xiàn shì zhū ròu dà cōng de.
    This filling is pork and green onion.
  • Nǐ ài chī tián xiàn hái shì xián xiàn?
    Do you prefer sweet or savory fillings?
  • Mā ma zuò de bāo zi xiàn tè bié xiāng.
    The filling of the steamed buns my mom makes is especially fragrant.

Origin

Sound + meaning
六书liùshū
形声xíngshēng

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 餡; 馅 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
Written in full asshífood
Sound part声符shēngfú
xiànxiàn
Same sound today

For 馅, the traditional form 餡 pairs 飠 (food) with 臽 as the sound part.

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