渺

miǎo
氵 + 眇

Definitions

miǎo (adjective) vast; distant and indistinct (of water)
miǎo (adjective) tiny; insignificant

Etymology phono-semantic

water

Semantic: 氵 Phonetic: 眇

About

A phono-semantic compound, 渺 (miǎo) is formed by the water radical 氵 on the left and the component 眇 on the right, which contributes both the pronunciation and a sense of smallness. The character's original meaning, derived from the water radical, describes a vast and boundless expanse of water stretching into the distance, making all within it appear minute. This image of an immense, remote watery landscape was later extended to describe things that are tiny, insignificant, or remote, often emphasizing their smallness against a massive or infinite backdrop.

Example Sentences Hide

他的力量在自然面前显得很渺小。

Tā de lìliàng zài zìrán miànqián xiǎnde hěn miǎoxiǎo.

His strength appears very insignificant in the face of nature.

前途渺茫，他不知道该做什么。

Qiántú miǎománg, tā bù zhīdào gāi zuò shénme.

The future is uncertain; he doesn't know what to do.

人在地球上看星空，会感到自己很渺小。

Rén zài dìqiú shàng kàn xīngkōng, huì gǎndào zìjǐ hěn miǎoxiǎo.

Looking at the starry sky from Earth, one feels very small.

在浩瀚的宇宙中，人类的存在极其渺小。

Zài hàohàn de yǔzhòu zhōng, rénlèi de cúnzài jíqí miǎoxiǎo.

In the vast universe, the existence of humanity is extremely tiny.

希望虽然渺茫，但我们从未放弃。

Xīwàng suīrán miǎománg, dàn wǒmen cóng wèi fàngqì.

Although the hope is slim, we have never given up.

个人的得失在历史长河中显得渺不足道。

Gèrén de déshī zài lìshǐ chánghé zhōng xiǎnde miǎo bù zú dào.

Personal gains and losses seem trivial in the long river of history.

面对这片渺无人烟的荒漠，他感到了孤独。

Miànduì zhè piàn miǎo wú rényān de huāngmò, tā gǎndào le gūdú.

Facing this desolate and uninhabited desert, he felt lonely.

这种可能性微乎其微，渺若星辰。

Zhè zhǒng kěnéngxìng wēi hū qí wēi, miǎo ruò xīngchén.

This possibility is extremely slim, as faint as distant stars.

Related Characters

Component: 氵

法 没 海 活 治 清 济 流 深 满 消 注 派 河

Component: 眇

缈 緲

Example Words

渺小 渺茫 飘渺 浩渺 渺无人烟 渺视 渺远 缥渺