印

yìn

③ + 卩

HSK 3.0Level 6

Definitions

yìn (verb) to print; to mark; to stamp

yìn (noun) seal; stamp; print; mark

Etymology

Pictograph of a kneeling person (卩) being held down by a hand (爪). Based on the original meaning "restrain", now written as 抑. The meaning later shifted to "push down", "stamp", and "print".

About

印 combines 爪 (a downward-facing hand) and 卩 (a kneeling person), originally depicting a hand pressing down on someone to convey restraint, a meaning now written 抑. The sense soon shifted from the act of holding down to the physical impression left by pressure: a stamp, seal, or print. This gave rise to the character's historical use for official seals that authenticate documents, and later extended naturally to printing and any mark made by pressing.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Spring and Autumn (~700 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Cao Wei (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这是我的印章。

Zhè shì wǒ de yìnzhāng.

This is my seal.

他在印刷书籍。

Tā zài yìnshuā shūjí.

He is printing books.

我对她印象很好。

Wǒ duì tā yìnxiàng hěn hǎo.

I have a good impression of her.

印度是一个大国。

Yìndù shì yī gè dà guó.

India is a big country.

请复印这份文件。

Qǐng fùyìn zhè fèn wénjiàn.

Please copy this document.

雪地上有动物的脚印。

Xuědì shàng yǒu dòngwù de jiǎoyìn.

There are animal footprints on the snow.

这家工厂专门印染布料。

Zhè jiā gōngchǎng zhuānmén yìnrǎn bùliào.

This factory specializes in printing and dyeing fabric.

他的作品留下了深刻的历史印记。

Tā de zuòpǐn liú xiàle shēnkè de lìshǐ yìnjì.

His works left a deep historical imprint.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: ③

Component: 卩

Example Words