Definitions

hán (adjective) cold; chilly
hán (adjective) poor; inadequate
hán (verb) to shiver; to tremble from cold

Etymology

Depicts a person () under a roof () surrounding himself with grass bedding () to try to stay warm in the cold weather. The (ice) component was added later.

About

The character 寒 features the roof radical 宀 at the top, sheltering a middle section that depicts a person surrounded by straw, with two dots below representing the ice radical 冫. This structure creates an ideographic scene of someone seeking warmth with straw inside a house during freezing weather. Its primary meaning is cold or wintry. From the idea of enduring harsh winter conditions, the meaning extended to describe poverty, destitution, humility, and the shivering fear of apprehension.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
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 Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这里很冷。

Zhèlǐ hěn hánlěng.

It is very cold here.

风吹过街道。

Hánfēng chuīguò jiēdào.

The cold wind blows through the street.

他感到一阵意。

Tā gǎndào yīzhèn hányì.

He felt a chill.

暑假我都回家。

Hán shǔ jià wǒ dōu huíjiā.

I go home during winter and summer vacations.

冬腊月特别冷。

Hándōng làyuè tèbié lěng.

The cold winter months are especially cold.

她的态度让我心

Tā de tàidù ràng wǒ xīnhán.

Her attitude disheartened me.

经济冬影响就业。

Jīngjì hándōng yǐngxiǎng jiùyè.

The economic winter affects employment.

不畏严坚持锻炼。

Bù wèi yánhán jiānchí duànliàn.

Persist in exercising despite the severe cold.