About
The character "消" is structured as a phono-semantic compound, combining the water radical with the component "肖" which historically offered phonetic cues while subtly implying a sense of reduction or lessening. Its etymology centers on the physical action of water causing something to melt away or dissolve, leading to early meanings associated with dissipation and disappearance. From this concrete foundation, the character's applications gradually extended into more abstract domains, acquiring senses related to the removal or eradication of conditions, the nullification of arrangements, and even the notion of passing time through gradual consumption, thereby marking a transition from tangible processes to broader conceptual uses in the lexicon.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
这个消息很好。
我们需要消毒。
他喜欢消遣时间。
消费水平提高了。
消极情绪不好。
这场雨消除了干旱。
政府采取了措施来消除贫困。
科学家正在研究如何消融冰川。