Definitions

luán (bound form) (of muscles) to cramp; to spasm

Etymology phono-semantic

hand

Semantic:

About

The character 挛 (simplified from 攣) is a phono-semantic compound. Its traditional form, 攣, combines the semantic radical 手/扌 (shǒu, hand) at the bottom with the phonetic component 䜌 (luán) on top. The hand radical signifies an action related to grabbing, pulling, or a physical affliction of the limbs, while the phonetic element 䜌 evokes the idea of threads being tangled or bound. In medical terms, 挛 primarily describes the involuntary contraction, cramping, or spasm of muscles and tendons, which often restricts movement or causes the limbs to curl tightly. Although the modern simplified form drastically reduces the complexity of the upper phonetic element, the character retains its core meaning of physical spasms and cramps, as well as the state of being closely linked or bound together.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Shang dynasty (~1100 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Shang dynasty (~1100 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 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

他的腿痉了。

Tā de tuǐ jìngluán le.

His leg cramped.

运动后肌肉容易痉

Yùndòng hòu jīròu róngyì jìngluán.

Muscles are prone to cramping after exercise.

医生治疗了他的面部痉

Yīshēng zhìliáo le tā de miànbù jìngluán.

The doctor treated his facial spasm.

这种病会导致四肢缩。

Zhè zhǒng bìng huì dǎozhì sìzhī luánsuō.

This disease can cause limb contractures.

性疼痛让他难以入睡。

Jìngluánxìng téngtòng ràng tā nányǐ rùshuì.

The spasmodic pain made it difficult for him to fall asleep.

患者出现了全身性的痉症状。

Huànzhě chūxiàn le quánshēn xìng de jìngluán zhèngzhuàng.

The patient exhibited systemic spasm symptoms.

通过按摩可以缓解肌肉的急。

Tōngguò ànmó kěyǐ huǎnjiě jīròu de luánjí.

Massage can alleviate muscle twitching.

长期的神经压迫可能引起局部痹。

Chángqī de shénjīng yāpò kěnéng yǐnqǐ júbù luánbì.

Long-term nerve compression may cause local contracture and paralysis.