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香甜 (xiāng tián) — (of taste or smell) fragrant and sweet; (of sleep) deep, sound, peaceful

Definition

Adjective that pairs two pleasant qualities — fragrant AND sweet — usually of food or aroma. For 'sound sleep', it works metaphorically: the sleep itself is sweet, suggesting deep and peaceful rest.

adjective
(of taste or smell) fragrant and sweet(of sleep) deepsoundpeaceful

Examples

  • 香甜，。
    Zhè ge dàn gāo yòu xiāng tián yòu ruǎn, hěn hǎo chī.
    This cake is fragrant, sweet, and soft — very tasty.
  • 香甜，。
    Zuó wǎn wǒ shuì dé gé wài xiāng tián, yí jiào dào tiān liàng.
    Last night I slept exceptionally soundly, all the way until dawn.
  • 香甜。
    Lín zi lǐ piāo lái yí zhèn xiāng tián de guǒ xiāng.
    A fragrant, sweet fruit aroma wafted from the forest.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

香xiāngfragrant
甜tiánsweet

香 means fragrant and 甜 means sweet; together they describe a pleasant taste or smell, and by extension peaceful sleep.

Characters in this word

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

香's early form paired 黍 (glutinous millet) with 口 (mouth), perhaps showing millet drink being taken in or offered.

Open 香 →

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

甜 puts 舌 (tongue) next to 甘 (sweet), showing sweetness as something the tongue perceives.

Open 甜 →
Appears in
Flavors & Seasonings

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