Definitions

pēn (verb) to spray; to spurt; to spout
pèn (adjective) (of a smell) strong

Etymology phono-semantic

mouth

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 喷 (traditional: 噴) is a phono-semantic compound. Its left side features the radical 口 (mouth), indicating an action involving expulsion. The right side, 贲 (or 賁), serves as the phonetic component, originally meaning "to rush" or "energetic", which subtly conveys a sense of forceful movement. The character's core meaning has consistently described the physical act of spurting, spraying, or erupting, such as water, breath, or other substances being expelled with force. In the simplified form, the complex 賁 was reduced to 贲, lowering the stroke count while preserving both the pronunciation and the semantic association with forceful expulsion.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

泉很漂亮。

Pēnquán hěn piàoliang.

The fountain is very beautiful.

他在香水。

Tā zài pēn xiāngshuǐ.

He is spraying perfume.

不要太多水。

Bù yào pēn tài duō shuǐ.

Don't spray too much water.

汽车在黑烟。

Qìchē zài pēn hēi yān.

The car is emitting black smoke.

气式飞机很快。

Pēnqì shì fēijī hěn kuài.

Jet planes are very fast.

他在壶里装满了水。

Tā zài pēnhú lǐ zhuāngmǎn le shuǐ.

He filled the spray bottle with water.

火山发了大量的岩浆。

Huǒshān pēnfā le dàliàng de yánjiāng.

The volcano erupted a large amount of magma.

他愤怒地出了一连串的抱怨。

Tā fènnù de pēnchū le yīliánchuàn de bàoyuàn.

He angrily spouted a series of complaints.