袅

嫋/嬝/裊/褭

niǎo

④ + 衣

Definitions

niǎo delicate; graceful

niǎo variant of 裊|袅[niǎo]

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 衣 represents the meaning and 鸟 represents the sound. Simplified form of 裊.

Semantic: 衣 Phonetic: 鸟

About

袅 is the simplified form of 裊, a phonosemantic compound. In the traditional character, 衣 (clothing) sits at the bottom and gives the meaning, while 鳥 (bird) on top provides the sound; the simplified version replaces 鳥 with 鸟 and retains 衣 below. Originally denoting a horse's tether or a delicate ribbon, the meaning shifted to describe something long, soft, and flexible fluttering in the wind. Today, it primarily refers to the graceful curling movement of thin streams, especially the gentle upward spiraling of smoke, steam, or incense.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

炊烟袅袅升起。

Chuī yān niǎo niǎo shēng qǐ.

Cooking smoke curls upward.

茶香袅袅飘散。

Chá xiāng niǎo niǎo piāo sàn.

The fragrance of tea wafts gently.

琴声袅袅传来。

Qín shēng niǎo niǎo chuán lái.

The sound of the zither drifts over.

她袅娜地走过舞台。

Tā niǎo nuó de zǒu guò wǔ tái.

She walks gracefully across the stage.

清晨的雾气袅袅上升。

Qīng chén de wù qì niǎo niǎo shàng shēng.

The morning mist rises curlingly.

夕阳下，炊烟袅袅，宛如画卷。

Xī yáng xià, chuī yān niǎo niǎo, wǎn rú huà juàn.

Under the setting sun, the cooking smoke curls, just like a painting.

歌声袅袅，伴随着微风，飘向远方。

Gē shēng niǎo niǎo, bàn suí zhe wēi fēng, piāo xiàng yuǎn fāng.

The singing voice drifts gently, accompanied by the breeze, floating into the distance.

她那袅袅的身影，在月光下显得格外柔美。

Tā nà niǎo niǎo de shēn yǐng, zài yuè guāng xià xiǎn dé gé wài róu měi.

Her slender and graceful figure appears especially soft and beautiful under the moonlight.

Related Characters

Component: ④

Component: 衣

袅