囊

nāng, náng

一 + 中 + 冖 + 吅 + 𠀎 + 𧘇

Definitions

náng (noun) sack; purse; pocket

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 襄 represents the sound and 橐 represents the meaning.

Semantic: 口 Phonetic: 襄

About

囊 is a phonosemantic compound: 襄 (xiāng) gives the sound, and 橐 (tuó), an ancient pictograph of a tied sack, conveys the meaning. The 橐 component depicts a bag with a closed top, a roomy middle, and a base, details still visible in the modern form. Originally meaning 'bag' or 'sack,' the character later took on the verbal sense 'to put into a bag' or 'to pocket,' and in scientific contexts it denotes sac-like structures, cysts, or anatomical pouches.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他把礼物放进行囊。

Tā bǎ lǐwù fàng jìn xíngnáng.

He put the gift into the travel bag.

探险家的行囊里装满了必需品。

Tànxiǎnjiā de xíngnáng lǐ zhuāngmǎn le bìxūpǐn.

The explorer's bag was full of necessities.

这种药是胶囊状的。

Zhè zhǒng yào shì jiāonáng zhuàng de.

This medicine is in capsule form.

这个锦囊里装着重要的提示。

Zhège jǐnnáng lǐ zhuāng zhe zhòngyào de tíshì.

This silk pouch contains important hints.

公司的智囊团提出了新方案。

Gōngsī de zhìnángtuán tíchū le xīn fāng'àn.

The company's think tank proposed a new plan.

资金短缺让项目囊中羞涩。

Zījīn duǎnquē ràng xiàngmù nángzhōngxiūsè.

Lack of funds left the project strapped for cash.

这个器官被称为气囊。

Zhège qìguān bèi chēng wéi qìnáng.

This organ is called an air sac.

他的行囊很简单，只有几件衣服。

Tā de xíngnáng hěn jiǎndān, zhǐ yǒu jǐ jiàn yīfu.

His luggage is very simple, with only a few pieces of clothing.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 一

Component: 中

Component: 冖

Component: 吅

Component: 𠀎

Component: 𧘇

囊