Definitions

diàn (noun) pad; cushion; mat
diàn (verb) to pad out; to fill a gap
diàn (verb) to advance (money); to pay for someone

Etymology

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

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The traditional character 墊 is structured with the component 執, denoting holding or control, positioned above 土 for earth, reflecting an original sense of pressing down on soil to settle or level it, which established its early verbs meaning to suppress or fill in. From this action-oriented foundation, the character's meaning expanded to encompass the objects used for such purposes, leading to nouns like cushion or mat and related verbs such as to pad or to pay a deposit. The simplified form 垫 retains the 土 component but substitutes 執 with its simplified variant 执, maintaining the core concept while adapting the graphic form. Over time, its semantic range widened to include various contexts involving underlying support, from physical insulating layers to metaphorical advances in financial terms.

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)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我把子放在地板上。

Wǒ bǎ diànzi fàng zài dìbǎn shàng.

I placed the cushion on the floor.

沙发上的坐很柔软。

Shāfā shàng de zuòdiàn hěn róuruǎn.

The cushion on the sofa is very soft.

请在桌子脚下些纸。

Qǐng zài zhuōzi jiǎo xià diàn xiē zhǐ.

Please put some paper under the table leg.

他用书本把显示器高了。

Tā yòng shūběn bǎ xiǎnshìqì diàn gāo le.

He used books to raise the monitor higher.

搬家时上旧衣服防止刮擦。

Bānjiā shí diàn shàng jiù yīfu fángzhǐ guācā.

When moving, pad with old clothes to prevent scratches.

公司先为项目付了启动资金。

Gōngsī xiān wèi xiàngmù diànfù le qǐdòng zījīn.

The company advanced the startup funds for the project.

这个护腕可以在手腕下面。

Zhège hùwàn kěyǐ diàn zài shǒuwàn xiàmiàn.

This wrist guard can be padded under the wrist.

他为团队资的行为值得称赞。

Tā wèi tuánduì diànzī de xíngwéi zhídé chēngzàn.

His act of providing funds for the team is commendable.