About
Composed of the water radical alongside the phonetic component "同", the character "洞" originally conveyed the idea of a water-permeated hollow or a penetrating cavity, with its structural elements suggesting a connection to subterranean channels or springs. Its early semantic focus on physical apertures, particularly those associated with water, gradually extended to include any form of hole, tunnel, or cave in general usage. Over time, the character's application expanded into abstract domains, where it came to signify thoroughness, clarity, and perceptive understanding, as evidenced in classical and modern compounds related to insight and transparency, marking a transition from denoting purely physical spaces to encompassing qualities of intellectual penetration.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
这个山洞非常深。
洞穴里住着蝙蝠。
衣服上有个破洞。
他发现了一个树洞。
洞悉真相需要时间。
这个漏洞必须尽快修补。
河水穿过岩洞流向大海。
通过这个小洞，你能看到外面的世界。