满

滿

mǎn

氵 + 𬜯

HSK 2.0Level 4

HSK 3.0Level 4

Definitions

mǎn (adjective) full; filled

mǎn (verb) to fill; to be filled

mǎn (adjective) satisfied; content

mǎn (adverb) completely; fully

Mǎn (noun) Manchu ethnic group

Etymology

Simplified form of 滿. Phonosemantic compound. 氵 represents the meaning and 㒼 represents the sound.

Semantic: 氵 Phonetic: 㒼

About

The character 满 (simplified from 滿) is a phono-semantic compound. The water radical 氵 on the left provides the semantic category, indicating its original connection to liquids. The right component 㒼 in the traditional form serves as the phonetic element, while the simplified version streamlines this to 艹 over 两, reducing stroke count. Its core meaning derives from the image of a vessel filled to the brim with water, conveying fullness. This concept of physical saturation extended metaphorically to abstract notions of completeness, satisfaction, meeting a limit, or fulfilling a condition.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

妈妈很满意。

Māma hěn mǎnyì.

Mom is very satisfied.

他的书包装满了书。

Tā de shūbāo zhuāng mǎn le shū.

His schoolbag is full of books.

我们充满信心。

Wǒmen chōngmǎn xìnxīn.

We are full of confidence.

满街都是行人。

Mǎn jiē dōu shì xíngrén.

The street is full of pedestrians.

她的笑容充满了温暖。

Tā de xiàoróng chōngmǎn le wēnnuǎn.

Her smile is full of warmth.

尽管困难满满，他还是成功了。

Jǐnguǎn kùnnán mǎn mǎn, tā háishì chénggōng le.

Although full of difficulties, he still succeeded.

当杯子装满水时，它会溢出。

Dāng bēizi zhuāng mǎn shuǐ shí, tā huì yìchū.

When the cup is filled with water, it will overflow.

他对这个项目的贡献得到了满满的认可。

Tā duì zhège xiàngmù de gòngxiàn dédào le mǎn mǎn de rènkě.

His contribution to this project received full recognition.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 氵

Component: 𬜯

满