Definitions

è startled

Etymology phono-semantic

heart

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "愕", meaning to be startled or astonished, is structured as a phono-semantic compound with the heart radical (忄) on the left, signaling its association with inner emotions, and the component "咢" on the right, which historically served as a phonetic marker while also contributing a sense of abruptness linked to audible expressions or alarm. This composition has consistently captured the notion of a sudden, visceral reaction to surprise, and although its written form has seen stylistic adjustments over centuries, the core meaning has remained stable, reflecting its enduring function in conveying human shock or bewilderment.

Etymology Hide

Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我听到这件事很然。

Wǒ tīng dào zhè jiàn shì hěn è rán.

I was very stunned to hear about this.

她突然感到一阵惊

Tā tū rán gǎn dào yī zhèn jīng è.

She suddenly felt a wave of shock.

孩子的回答让他然。

Hái zi de huí dá ràng tā è rán.

The child's answer made him stunned.

看到结果,他然失色。

Kàn dào jié guǒ, tā è rán shī sè.

Seeing the result, he was stunned and lost color in his face.

这个意外消息令人惊

Zhè gè yì wài xiāo xī lìng rén jīng è.

This unexpected news is shocking.

然地盯着那张照片。

Tā è rán de dīng zhe nà zhāng zhào piàn.

He stared at the photo in astonishment.

听到这个解释,我们都然无语。

Tīng dào zhè gè jiě shì, wǒ men dōu è rán wú yǔ.

Hearing this explanation, we were all stunned speechless.

在那一瞬间,他的脸上露出了然的表情。

Zài nà yī shùn jiān, tā de liǎn shàng lù chū le è rán de biǎo qíng.

At that moment, a stunned expression appeared on his face.