Definitions

hóng (noun,adjective) flood; great; vast

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

About

The character 洪 is structurally composed of the water radical 氵 paired with the phonetic component 共, directly linking it to aquatic concepts and originally denoting a large flood or deluge. Etymologically, it stems from this sense of inundation, with its meaning gradually extending to describe vastness or greatness in a more abstract sense, as seen in compounds like 洪亮 for resonant sound or 洪福 for immense blessing. This semantic shift from a specific natural phenomenon to a general qualitative attribute constitutes the central evolution of the character, while its graphical form has maintained the consistent arrangement of its components.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Cao Wei (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

水冲毁了道路。

Hóngshuǐ chōnghuǐle dàolù.

The flood destroyed the road.

他的声音非常亮。

Tā de shēngyīn fēicháng hóngliàng.

His voice is very loud and clear.

这个村庄遭遇了山

Zhège cūnzhuāng zāoyùle shānhóng.

This village was hit by a flash flood.

大坝保护了城市。

Fánghóng dàbà bǎohùle chéngshì.

The flood control dam protected the city.

历史上这里发生过特大灾。

Lìshǐ shàng zhèlǐ fāshēngguò tè dà hóngzāi.

A major flood disaster occurred here in history.

峰预计将于明晚过境。

Hóngfēng yùjì jiāng yú míng wǎn guòjìng.

The flood peak is expected to pass through tomorrow night.

这位将军名叫承畴。

Zhè wèi jiāngjūn míng jiào Hóng Chéngchóu.

This general's name is Hong Chengchou.

专家们正在研究水的成因。

Zhuānjiāmen zhèngzài yánjiū hóngshuǐ de chéngyīn.

Experts are studying the causes of the flood.