Definitions

to sip

Etymology phono-semantic

mouth

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character is a phono-semantic compound combining the mouth radical with the phonetic component . The radical associates it with oral actions such as eating, drinking, or vocalizing. The right-side guides the pronunciation. Its traditional form pairs with the traditional phonetic . The primary meaning is to sip, taste, or take a small bite of food or drink. In classical texts, it frequently describes delicate or measured eating, often conveying a polite, restrained manner, or the action of birds pecking at food.

Etymology Hide

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