Definitions

níng (verb) to congeal; to solidify
níng (verb) to stare; to focus attention

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "凝" is a phono-semantic compound consisting of the radical "冫", representing ice or cold, and the component "疑", which functions primarily as a phonetic indicator but also carries connotations of hesitation or stagnation. Its earliest meanings centered on the physical process of congealing or solidifying, such as liquids turning into ice or vapors condensing. This core sense of becoming thick or immobile gradually extended metaphorically to describe abstract states of intense focus or fixation, as evidenced in later usage where "凝" denotes concentrated attention or steadfastness, such as in the terms "凝聚" for cohesion or "凝视" for a steady gaze.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Warring States (~400 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

固成冰。

Shuǐ nínggù chéng bīng.

Water solidifies into ice.

视着远方。

Tā níngshì zhe yuǎnfāng.

He gazes into the distance.

聚力使团队强大。

Níngjùlì shǐ tuánduì qiángdà.

Cohesion makes the team strong.

湖面结了一层薄冰。

Húmiàn níngjié le yī céng báo bīng.

A thin layer of ice formed on the lake surface.

神倾听他的故事。

Tā níngshén qīngtīng tā de gùshì.

She concentrates on listening to his story.

空气中的水汽结成露珠。

Kōngqì zhōng de shuǐqì níngjié chéng lùzhū.

The moisture in the air condenses into dew.

他的目光滞在旧照片上。

Tā de mùguāng níngzhì zài jiù zhàopiàn shàng.

His gaze fixed on the old photo.

这篇散文语言练,意境深远。

Zhè piān sǎnwén yǔyán níngliàn, yìjìng shēnyuǎn.

This prose has concise language and a profound artistic conception.