About
The character "惜" is structured as a phono-semantic compound, combining the heart radical 心 to denote emotional resonance with the phonetic component 昔, which historically conveys a sense of the past while guiding pronunciation. Its early usage centered on feelings of pity, regret, or compassion, inherently linking emotional weight to reflections on what has been lost or elapsed. Over time, this core meaning extended to include the idea of cherishing or holding something in high esteem, thereby acquiring additional connotations of frugality and careful stewardship, as valuing an object or moment often leads to a protective reluctance to waste it. The character's form has remained consistent, with its components continuing to reflect the interplay between heart-felt sentiment and temporal awareness that defines its conceptual evolution.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我们要珍惜时间。
这本书很可惜丢了。
他非常爱惜自己的玩具。
大家对她的离开感到惋惜。
我们在车站惜别。
他从不吝惜赞美之词。
虽然可惜，但我们必须放弃。
鉴于过去的不幸，我们更应珍惜当下的幸福。