Definitions

(verb) to reside; to live in
(verb) to imply; to contain (a meaning)

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Simplified form of .

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

Composed of the semantic component "宀" representing a roof or dwelling and the phonetic element "禺", the character "寓" originally conveyed the concrete meaning of residing or lodging in a place. Its usage historically centered on physical habitation or sojourning, as documented in early texts. Over centuries, the semantic scope of the character expanded to include the abstract sense of embedding or implying a meaning within another form, which is exemplified in the compound "寓言" referring to a fable or allegory where a narrative carries an instructive message. This development allowed the character to acquire a dual significance, encompassing both the act of physical dwelling and the figurative act of investing something with an indirect meaning.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Jin dynasty (266-420 AD)
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)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我住在公里。

Wǒ zhù zài gōngyù lǐ.

I live in an apartment.

这个言很有名。

Zhège yùyán hěn yǒumíng.

This fable is very famous.

这个故事的意很深。

Zhège gùshì de yùyì hěn shēn.

The moral of this story is very profound.

这栋新公很漂亮。

Zhè dòng xīn gōngyù hěn piàoliang.

This new apartment building is very beautiful.

好的教育应该教于乐。

Hǎo de jiàoyù yīnggāi yù jiào yú lè.

Good education should combine teaching with entertainment.

言常常用动物来比喻人类。

Yùyán chángcháng yòng dòngwù lái bǐyù rénlèi.

Fables often use animals to metaphorize humans.

他的话语中含着深刻的哲理。

Tā de huàyǔ zhōng yùhánzhe shēnkè de zhélǐ.

His words contain profound philosophical truth.

这座建筑的设计理念于传统与现代之间。

Zhè zuò jiànzhù de shèjì lǐniàn yù yú chuántǒng yǔ xiàndài zhī jiān.

The design concept of this building lies between tradition and modernity.