Definitions
(adjective)
all; whole; complete; entire
Etymology
Depicts jade (玉) that is entirely pure and flawless. Based on the original meaning "pure jade". The meaning later shifted to "complete" and "entire".
About
The character "全" originates from the conceptualization of completeness, where its early form integrated elements denoting collection and jade to imply an object in its perfect, unblemished state, a representation that eventually condensed into the contemporary arrangement of "入" over "王", mirroring the original jade component while emphasizing the action of bringing together into a unified whole. From its initial specific sense describing pristine jade, the meaning broadened to encompass general notions of entirety, preservation, and totality, which facilitated its application in classical texts to signify something kept intact or wholly maintained. This semantic expansion continued into modern usage, where it functions as a fundamental morpheme in constructing a wide range of terms that convey safety, overall conditions, and comprehensive states, thus maintaining its core conceptual link to integrity and wholeness without significant alteration to its basic structure.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我全部吃完了。
全国都在庆祝。
安全是最重要的。
他完全不知道这件事。
全球气候正在变暖。
我们全体成员都同意了。
这是一个全新的开始。
我们必须全面考虑这个问题。