昂

áng

卬 + 日

Definitions

áng (verb) to raise one's head; to lift up

áng (adjective) expensive

áng (adjective) high-spirited; soaring

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 日 represents the meaning and 卬 represents the sound.

Semantic: 日 Phonetic: 卬

About

昂 is a phono-semantic compound combining the semantic element 日 'sun' with the phonetic element 卬. The sun radical sits at the top, connecting the character to the sky, light, and upward movement. Its basic meaning is to raise one's head high, standing proud and upright. From this literal sense of physical rising, the character's use expanded: it describes high, rising prices in economic contexts and, in emotional terms, soaring spirits, abundant energy, and a proud, elated mental state. Thus, 昂 captures both a visual image of elevation and an audible cue for its reading.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这个包包非常昂贵。

Zhè ge bāo bāo fēi cháng áng guì.

This bag is very expensive.

他精神昂扬地工作。

Tā jīng shén áng yáng de gōng zuò.

He works with high spirits.

昂首挺胸地走路。

Áng shǒu tǐng xiōng de zǒu lù.

Walk with head held high and chest out.

价格昂贵但质量好。

Jià gé áng guì dàn zhì liàng hǎo.

The price is expensive but the quality is good.

他激昂地发表了演讲。

Tā jī áng de fā biǎo le yǎn jiǎng.

He delivered a speech excitedly.

虽然生活昂贵，但他依然乐观。

Suī rán shēng huó áng guì, dàn tā yī rán lè guān.

Although life is expensive, he remains optimistic.

他昂然地面对困难。

Tā áng rán de miàn duì kùn nán.

He faces difficulties upright and unafraid.

在昂扬的斗志中，他们取得了胜利。

Zài áng yáng de dòu zhì zhōng, tā men qǔ dé le shèng lì.

In high-spirited fighting will, they achieved victory.

Related Characters

Component: 卬

Component: 日

昂