喻

yù

俞 + 口

Definitions

yù (verb) to explain by analogy; to use a metaphor

yù (noun) metaphor; analogy

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 口 represents the meaning and 俞 represents the sound.

Semantic: 口 Phonetic: 俞

About

喻 is a phonosemantic compound: 口 ("mouth") on the left signals the meaning related to speech and verbal communication, while 俞 on the right indicates the pronunciation. The character's original sense is to explain something clearly, instruct, or make an idea understood through words. Its meaning later broadened to cover the literary and rhetorical use of analogies, metaphors, and allegories to clarify complex topics, shifting from direct verbal instruction to the act of drawing comparisons that illuminate abstract concepts in both spoken and written language.

Etymology Hide

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

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

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这个比喻很好懂。

Zhège bǐyù hěn hǎo dǒng.

This metaphor is easy to understand.

他用比喻来解释概念。

Tā yòng bǐyù lái jiěshì gàiniàn.

He uses metaphors to explain concepts.

黑暗喻示着危险。

Hēi'àn yùshì zhe wēixiǎn.

Darkness indicates danger.

这个故事有深刻的喻义。

Zhège gùshì yǒu shēnkè de yùyì.

This story has profound meaning.

老师常用比喻让学生更容易理解难题。

Lǎoshī cháng yòng bǐyù ràng xuéshēng gèng róngyì lǐjiě nántí.

The teacher often uses metaphors to help students understand difficult problems more easily.

在修辞学中，喻体是比喻的重要组成部分。

Zài xiūcíxué zhōng, yùtǐ shì bǐyù de zhòngyào zǔchéng bùfèn.

In rhetoric, the vehicle is an important part of a metaphor.

尽管这个比喻略显牵强，但它有效地传达了情感。

Jǐnguǎn zhège bǐyù lüè xiǎn qiānqiǎng, dàn tā yǒuxiào de chuándále qínggǎn.

Although this metaphor is somewhat far-fetched, it effectively conveys emotion.

通过将人生喻为旅程，诗人巧妙地表达了成长与变迁的主题。

Tōngguò jiāng rénshēng yù wéi lǚchéng, shīrén qiǎomiào de biǎodále chéngzhǎng yǔ biànqiān de zhǔtí.

By comparing life to a journey, the poet skillfully expresses the themes of growth and change.

Related Characters

Component: 俞

Component: 口

喻