Definitions

róng (verb) to contain; to hold
róng (verb) to allow; to tolerate
róng (noun) appearance; countenance

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic:

About

The character "容" has maintained a consistent structure since its early standardization, being composed of the radical "宀", representing a roof or covered space, placed above the component "谷", which depicts a valley. This pictorial combination originally conveyed the concrete idea of containment or holding within, much like a valley contains features or a house holds its contents. From this foundational sense of physical capacity, its meaning extended into more abstract and social realms, coming to signify the ability to accept or tolerate others, hence "to tolerate" or "to allow". Furthermore, it developed a distinct semantic branch related to outward presentation, giving rise to meanings such as "appearance" or "countenance", as in one's facial bearing, conceptually linking the interior space to what is visibly expressed.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Jin dynasty (266-420 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

学习中文很易。

Xuéxí Zhōngwén hěn róngyì.

Learning Chinese is very easy.

这本书的内很有趣。

Zhè běn shū de nèiróng hěn yǒuqù.

The content of this book is very interesting.

我无法形我的快乐。

Wǒ wúfǎ xíngróng wǒ de kuàilè.

I cannot describe my happiness.

她的貌非常美丽。

Tā de róngmào fēicháng měilì.

Her appearance is very beautiful.

我们应该宽他人。

Wǒmen yīnggāi kuānróng tārén.

We should be tolerant of others.

这个杯子的量很大。

Zhège bēizi de róngliàng hěn dà.

The capacity of this cup is very large.

请把水放在器里。

Qǐng bǎ shuǐ fàng zài róngqì lǐ.

Please put the water in the container.

公司不许员工迟到。

Gōngsī bù róngxǔ yuángōng chídào.

The company does not allow employees to be late.