Definitions
ninth of the ten Heavenly Stems 十天干[shí tiān gān]; ninth in order; letter "I" or Roman "IX" in list "A, B, C", or "I, II, III" etc; ancient Chinese compass point: 345°; nona
Etymology
Pictograph of a warp beam used for holding silk in, also known as a spool. The modern meaning "9th heavenly stem" is a phonetic loan.
About
壬 originated as a pictograph of an ancient tool or thread spool, but its meaning shifted entirely over time. It now primarily functions as the ninth of the ten Heavenly Stems, a traditional system used for chronological ordering, astrology, and indicating directions. Within this cyclical framework, it serves as a specialized ordinal marker rather than an independent noun.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
今年是壬寅年。
他姓壬，很少见。
壬水在风水里很重要。
这个周期从壬日开始。
农历壬月有时在秋天。
壬烷是一种化学物质。
在十天干中，壬排第九。
古代用壬来纪年和纪日。