About
The character 昆, formed from the components 日 (sun) positioned above 比 (compare or follow), derives from an ancient concept of sequential existence under the sun, originally referring to an elder brother or successive offspring within familial contexts. Over time, its meaning expanded beyond kinship to convey ideas of multitude and collective association, as evidenced in classical literature where it denoted groups or all things together. This semantic broadening allowed its incorporation into compounds such as 昆虫, meaning insects to emphasize numerous small creatures, and 昆仲, a term for brothers. The structural integrity of the character has persisted, with its traditional arrangement continuously informing its evolved applications that now blend ancestral notions of succession with later connotations of plurality and unity.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
昆明很美丽。
昆虫非常有趣。
昆曲是传统艺术。
他们昆仲关系很好。
昆明四季如春，气候宜人。
昆虫学家研究昆虫的行为。
昆曲表演需要精湛的技艺。
昆仑山脉位于中国西部。