About
The character 孟, formed from the components 子 for 'child' and 皿 for 'vessel', has an etymology suggesting an initial association with the firstborn child, possibly linked to ritual vessels used in ceremonies for eldest sons. This structural composition underpins its early meaning related to primacy and beginning, which over time broadened to apply to the first month of each season and to indicate precedence in various contexts. The semantic evolution of 孟 saw it transition from a specific familial term to a more general marker of firstness, while its graphical form has persisted unchanged, maintaining the same construction in both traditional and simplified writing systems. Its continued use in personal names and classical literature reflects this enduring conceptual legacy.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
孟子是一位伟大的思想家。
孟先生经常来这家书店。
孟春时节，天气开始变暖。
他姓孟，是我的大学同学。
这位孟经理做事非常认真。
孔孟之道是中国传统文化的重要组成部分。
孟加拉国是一个人口稠密的国家。
孟秋的夜晚已经能感到些许凉意。