About
The character "奄" is structured with "大" positioned above "申", and it originally conveyed the sense of covering or enveloping, aligning with the implication of "大" representing something extensive. Its meaning later included adverbial uses denoting suddenness, as in "奄忽", and subsequently developed connotations of weakness or fading, particularly evident in phrases like "奄奄一息". The component "申" functions phonetically without contributing semantic value in the modern character. Over time, the character's applications have become largely restricted to set phrases that express abrupt change or declining vitality.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
那只小猫奄奄一息了。
被晒了一天的花显得奄奄的。
病人气息奄奄，情况危急。
他奄忽之间就做出了决定。
昔日强大的帝国已奄奄一息。
消息传来，众人奄然无声。
这片土地古代曾奄有四方。
那个计划在争议中奄然而止。