Definitions

kuàng (adverb) moreover; furthermore
kuàng (noun) situation; state

Etymology

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

About

The character "况" originates from its traditional form "況", which is composed of the water radical (氵) on the left and the component "兄" (elder brother) on the right, originally conveying a sense of comparison or amplification, akin to water extending or spreading from a source. Its earliest core meaning was "to compare" or "to liken", which then naturally extended into the adverbial sense of "moreover" or "furthermore", used to introduce a stronger point in an argument. From this logical function, it further evolved to signify "condition" or "circumstance", as seen in the compound "情況" (situation), where it denotes the state of affairs. The simplified form "况" retains the phonetic component "兄" while omitting the water radical, a structural change that reflects its shift away from concrete imagery toward more abstract grammatical and nominal functions.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Cao Wei (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

很复杂。

Qíngkuàng hěn fùzá.

The situation is very complicated.

今天还下雨。

Hékuàng jīntiān hái xià yǔ.

Moreover, it's raining today.

且他也不在家。

Kuàngqiě tā yě bù zài jiā.

Besides, he is not at home.

我身体状良好。

Wǒ shēntǐ qíngkuàng liánghǎo.

My physical condition is good.

这种情很少见。

Zhè zhǒng qíngkuàng hěn shǎo jiàn.

This kind of situation is rare.

你已经尽力了。

Hékuàng nǐ yǐjīng jìnlìle.

Especially since you have already tried your best.

现实情比预想的困难。

Xiànshí qíngkuàng bǐ yùxiǎng de kùnnan.

The actual situation is more difficult than imagined.

她尚且没有把握,何我们这些新手。

Tā shàngqiě méiyǒu bǎwò, hékuàng wǒmen zhèxiē xīnshǒu.

Even she is not confident, let alone us beginners.