Definitions

xiǎng (verb) to make a sound; to sound; to ring
xiǎng (noun) echo; sound; noise
xiǎng (adjective) loud

Etymology

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

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The traditional character "響" structurally integrates the semantic element "音" meaning sound with the component "鄉" which originally contributed both phonetic value and a connotation of direction, thereby encoding the concept of sound reflecting back as an echo or resonance. This composition established a primary meaning centered on reverberation, which gradually expanded over time to encompass any audible noise and the act of producing sound. The simplified form "响" reconstitutes this idea by combining "向" indicating direction with "口" representing mouth or utterance, a modification that continues to express the core notions of emitted or directed sound while altering the graphical representation.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 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

他的手机了。

Tā de shǒujī xiǎng le.

His mobile phone rang.

门铃突然了。

Ménlíng tūrán xiǎng le.

The doorbell suddenly rang.

他的声音很亮。

Tā de shēngyīn hěn xiǎngliàng.

His voice is very loud and clear.

教堂的钟声起。

Jiàotáng de zhōngshēng xiǎngqǐ.

The church bell rang out.

当电话起时,我正在做饭。

Dāng diànhuà xiǎngqǐ shí, wǒ zhèngzài zuòfàn.

When the phone rang, I was cooking.

他的建议引起了很大反

Tā de jiànyì yǐnqǐ le hěn dà fǎnxiǎng.

His suggestion caused a great response.

爆炸声彻山谷。

Bàozhà shēng xiǎngchè shāngǔ.

The sound of the explosion resounded through the valley.

这项政策在社会上产生了广泛的影

Zhè xiàng zhèngcè zài shèhuì shàng chǎnshēng le guǎngfàn de yǐngxiǎng.

This policy has had a widespread impact on society.