Definitions

jiàn (adjective) healthy; strong
jiàn (verb) to strengthen; to invigorate

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

About

As a phono-semantic compound, 健 combines the human radical 亻 with the component 建 on the right, which provides both phonetic value and semantic nuance related to building or establishing. The character originally described a person endowed with strength, robustness, and vitality, linking human health to the idea of a solid foundation. Its core meaning has consistently centered on health, physical capability, and vigor, often used to describe athletic prowess or general well-being. This structure, uniting a person with a concept of construction, reflects a linguistic connection between human resilience and structural soundness.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他非常康。

Tā fēicháng jiànkāng.

He is very healthy.

身对身体好。

Jiànshēn duì shēntǐ hǎo.

Exercise is good for the body.

运动员很壮。

Yùndòngyuán hěn jiànzhuàng.

Athletes are very strong.

她每天坚持身。

Tā měitiān jiānchí jiànshēn.

She insists on exercising every day.

康饮食很重要。

Jiànkāng yǐnshí hěn zhòngyào.

Healthy eating is very important.

忘的人常丢东西。

Jiànwàng de rén cháng diū dōngxi.

Forgetful people often lose things.

我们要保持身体康。

Wǒmen yào bǎochí shēntǐ jiànkāng.

We need to maintain good health.

公司致力于全管理制度。

Gōngsī zhìlì yú jiànquán guǎnlǐ zhìdù.

The company is committed to improving the management system.