About
旎 is a phono-semantic compound: the radical 㫃, meaning "fluttering banners", provides the semantic category, while 尼 (ní) indicates the pronunciation. It originally signified the soft, rhythmic motion of flags in the wind. Over time, this concrete image extended to abstract qualities like gentle elegance and romantic charm. Today, the character is seldom used alone, appearing almost exclusively in the compound 旖旎, which describes enchanting and tenderly romantic scenery or atmospheres.
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