巷

xiàng

共 + 巳

HSK 2.0Level 6

HSK 3.0Level 7

Definitions

xiàng (noun) lane; alley

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 邑 represents the meaning and 共 represents the sound.

About

A phonosemantic compound, 巷 (xiàng) combines the sound component 共 (gòng) with 邑 (yì, "city settlement"), which points to its meaning. Originally, it denoted an alley or narrow lane between rows of buildings in a residential district. Over time, its sense broadened to encompass local neighborhoods and the winding network of pathways in traditional town layouts, serving as a key architectural and geographical term for navigating dense urban spaces.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 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)

Seal etymology image

Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这条小巷很安静。

Zhè tiáo xiǎo xiàng hěn ān jìng.

This small lane is very quiet.

孩子们在巷子里玩耍。

Háizi men zài xiàngzi lǐ wánshuǎ.

The children are playing in the alley.

巷口的商店生意很好。

Xiàng kǒu de shāngdiàn shēngyì hěn hǎo.

The shop at the alley entrance has good business.

城市里有许多古老的街巷。

Chéngshì lǐ yǒu xǔduō gǔlǎo de jiē xiàng.

There are many ancient streets and lanes in the city.

他穿过狭窄的巷子，找到了那家店。

Tā chuānguò xiázhǎi de xiàngzi, zhǎodào le nà jiā diàn.

He passed through the narrow alley and found that shop.

在巷战之中，士兵们必须格外小心。

Zài xiàngzhàn zhī zhōng, shìbīng men bìxū géwài xiǎoxīn.

In street fighting, soldiers must be extra careful.

每当夜晚降临，这条巷子就变得格外宁静。

Měi dāng yèwǎn jiànglín, zhè tiáo xiàngzi jiù biàn dé géwài níngjìng.

Whenever night falls, this alley becomes exceptionally peaceful.

经过城市规划，那些破旧的巷子将被改造成文化街区。

Jīngguò chéngshì guīhuà, nàxiē pòjiù de xiàngzi jiāng bèi gǎizào chéng wénhuà jiēqū.

After urban planning, those dilapidated lanes will be transformed into cultural districts.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 共

Component: 巳

Example Words