Definitions

sǔn (verb) to damage; to harm
sǔn (verb) to decrease; to lose
sǔn (adjective) sarcastic; caustic; mean

Etymology

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

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "损", whose traditional form is "損", etymologically conveys a sense of reduction or loss through its structural composition. It is formed by combining the hand radical (扌) on the left, indicating an action, with the component "員" (yuán) on the right, which historically functioned as a phonetic element but also carried connotations of something round or whole. This combination originally suggested the act of diminishing or damaging that completeness by hand. Over time, its core meaning expanded from concrete physical damage or decrease to encompass more abstract notions of harm, disadvantage, and loss, as in causing detriment or suffering a setback. The simplified form "损" maintains this conceptual essence while modifying the phonetic component for easier writing.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我的书坏了。

Wǒ de shū sǔnhuài le.

My book is damaged.

这次事故失很大。

Zhè cì shìgù sǔnshī hěn dà.

This accident caused great loss.

过度锻炼会伤身体。

Guòdù duànliàn huì sǔnshāng shēntǐ.

Excessive exercise can harm the body.

他的言论害了公司声誉。

Tā de yánlùn sǔnhài le gōngsī shēngyù.

His remarks damaged the company's reputation.

这种行为对环境有害。

Zhè zhǒng xíngwéi duì huánjìng yǒu sǔnhài.

This behavior is harmful to the environment.

长期熬夜会耗健康。

Chángqī áoyè huì sǔnhào jiànkāng.

Staying up late for a long time will deplete health.

不公平的贸易条款害了发展中国家利益。

Bù gōngpíng de màoyì tiáokuǎn sǔnhài le fāzhǎn zhōng guójiā lìyì.

Unfair trade terms harm the interests of developing countries.

过度开采矿产资源会严重害生态环境。

Guòdù kāicǎi kuàngchān zīyuán huì yánzhòng sǔnhài shēngtài huánjìng.

Over-exploitation of mineral resources will seriously damage the ecological environment.