Definitions

xiān (noun) immortal; celestial being; transcendent
xiān (adjective) fairy-like; ethereal

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Simplified form of .

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "仙" originates from the combination of the person radical "人" and the mountain character "山", forming a conceptual image of a individual residing in the mountains, which initially described hermits or ascetics living in seclusion. Over time, its meaning evolved from merely denoting physical recluses to specifically representing Daoist transcendents believed to have achieved immortality and supernatural powers through spiritual discipline, thus shifting from a literal to a metaphysical significance. The traditional form "僊", which includes a phonetic element associated with movement, underscores the idea of transcending earthly limits, while the simplified structure "仙" maintains the core mountainous symbolism with a more streamlined composition.

Example Sentences Hide

她像一位女。

Tā xiàng yī wèi xiān nǚ.

She resembles a fairy.

这盆人掌开花了。

Zhè pén xiān rén zhǎng kāi huā le.

This pot of cactus has bloomed.

故事里住着一位老神

Gù shi lǐ zhù zhe yī wèi lǎo shén xiān.

An old deity lives in the story.

这里风景优美宛如境。

Zhè lǐ fēng jǐng yōu měi wǎn rú xiān jìng.

The scenery here is so beautiful it's like a fairyland.

她身上有种不食人间烟火的气。

Tā shēn shàng yǒu zhǒng bù shí rén jiān yān huǒ de xiān qì.

She has an ethereal, otherworldly aura about her.

许多古代传说都描述了凡人修的故事。

Xǔ duō gǔ dài chuán shuō dōu miáo shù le fán rén xiū xiān de gù shi.

Many ancient legends describe stories of mortals cultivating immortality.

过海是中国家喻户晓的神话故事。

Bā xiān guò hǎi shì zhōng guó jiā yù hù xiǎo de shén huà gù shi.

"The Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea" is a well-known Chinese myth.

这座古镇依山傍水,云雾缭绕,颇有山楼阁的意境。

Zhè zuò gǔ zhèn yī shān bàng shuǐ, yún wù liáo rào, pō yǒu xiān shān lóu gé de yì jìng.

This ancient town, nestled between mountains and rivers with swirling mist, evokes the artistic conception of celestial mountains and pavilions.