Definitions

shēn (literary) to recite; to chant; to intone; (bound form) groan

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "呻" is formed by the semantic component 口, indicating a relation to the mouth or sound, alongside the phonetic component 申, which not only guides pronunciation but also contributes an ancestral sense of extension or projection. This structural etymology suggests an action where sound is drawn out or emitted from the mouth, directly informing its enduring definition as to moan or groan. Throughout its historical usage, the character has preserved this core meaning, most commonly appearing within the compound "呻吟" to express vocalized pain or lamentation. While its isolated application is rare, the character's semantic stability highlights its specialized role in lexical pairs that capture audible manifestations of suffering or sorrow.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他在病床上吟。

Tā zài bìngchuáng shàng shēnyín.

He is moaning on the sickbed.

病人整夜不停地吟。

Bìngrén zhěng yè bù tíng de shēnyín.

The patient moaned incessantly all night.

听到他的吟声,我很难过。

Tīng dào tā de shēnyín shēng, wǒ hěn nánguò.

Hearing his moaning sound, I feel very sad.

受伤的动物在角落里低声吟。

Shòushāng de dòngwù zài jiǎoluò lǐ dīshēng shēnyín.

The injured animal is moaning softly in the corner.

虽然他很痛苦,但他尽力不吟出来。

Suīrán tā hěn tòngkǔ, dàn tā jìnlì bù shēnyín chūlái.

Although he is in pain, he tries his best not to moan out loud.

风雨中的老房子仿佛在吟。

Fēngyǔ zhōng de lǎo fángzi fǎngfú zài shēnyín.

The old house in the wind and rain seems to be moaning.

吟着从地上爬起来,继续前进。

Tā shēnyín zhe cóng dì shàng pá qǐlái, jìxù qiánjìn.

Moaning, she got up from the ground and continued forward.

在漫长的康复过程中,他从不吟抱怨,展现了惊人的毅力。

Zài màncháng de kāngfù guòchéng zhōng, tā cóng bù shēnyín bàoyuàn, zhǎnxiàn le jīngrén de yìlì.

During the long recovery process, he never moaned or complained, showing amazing perseverance.