Definitions

hān silly; simple-minded; foolish; naive; sturdy; tough; heavy (of rope)

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 憨 (hān) is a phono-semantic compound with the heart radical 心 (xīn) at the bottom, indicating its connection to mental and emotional states, and the phonetic component 敢 (gǎn) on top. Historically, it described a simple, straightforward, or somewhat foolish disposition, often implying a lack of sophistication or social sharpness. In modern usage, however, the meaning has softened considerably, now conveying an endearing, innocent naivety or charming awkwardness. This shift is exemplified in the compound 憨态可掬, which describes a lovably clumsy cuteness often attributed to pandas or young children.

Example Sentences Hide

他的样子很

Tā de yàngzi hěn hān.

His appearance is very silly.

弟弟地笑了。

Dìdi hānhān de xiào le.

The younger brother smiled in a silly way.

他做事总是那么厚。

Tā zuò shì zǒng shì nàme hānhòu.

He always does things so honestly and simply.

她的态逗乐了大家。

Tā de hāntài dòu lè le dàjiā.

Her silly manner amused everyone.

别看他一幅相,其实很聪明。

Bié kàn tā yī fú hān xiàng, qíshí hěn cōngmíng.

Don't be fooled by his silly look; he is actually very smart.

直的性格赢得了很多朋友。

Tā hānzhí de xìnggé yíngdé le hěnduō péngyǒu.

His straightforward and simple personality won him many friends.

那个厚的老农民一辈子勤勤恳恳。

Nàge hānhòu de lǎo nóngmín yībèizi qínqínkěnkěn.

That honest and simple old farmer worked diligently all his life.

尽管他有时显得有点,但待人真诚从不虚伪。

Jǐnguǎn tā yǒushí xiǎndé yǒudiǎn hān, dàn dàirén zhēnchéng cóng bù xūwěi.

Although he sometimes appears a bit silly, he treats people sincerely and is never hypocritical.