Definitions

lián (noun,verb) ripple

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Simplified form of .

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "涟" is composed of the water radical, indicating its fundamental association with liquid, combined with the component "连" which primarily provides phonetic guidance but also contributes a sense of connection or continuity. Its core etymological meaning has consistently pertained to the physical phenomenon of ripples or flowing water, specifically describing a continuous, gentle movement on a water surface. Over time, this concrete meaning was naturally extended into metaphorical and literary usage, where "涟" came to describe things that resemble water ripples in their wave-like pattern or gentle undulation, most commonly applied to the imagery of tear-streaked cheeks in classical poetry. While its structural form has remained stable without a distinct traditional-simplified dichotomy, its semantic application evolved from denoting purely observable hydraulic motion to encompassing expressive figurative descriptions of emotional or visual continuity.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Jin dynasty (266-316 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

湖面泛起阵阵漪。

Hú miàn fàn qǐ zhènzhèn liányī.

The lake surface rippled with waves.

她的眼中泪光

Tā de yǎn zhōng lèi guāng lián lián.

Her eyes were glistening with tears.

微风过后,池塘里波荡漾。

Wēifēng guòhòu, chítáng lǐ liánbō dàngyàng.

After the breeze, ripples swayed in the pond.

往事如清,在心中泛起。

Wǎngshì rú qīnglián, zài xīnzhōng fànqǐ.

Past events are like clear ripples, rising in my heart.

的泪水打湿了衣襟。

Tā liánlián de lèishuǐ dǎshī le yījīn.

Her streaming tears wet the front of her clothes.

秋雨洏,更添几分愁绪。

Qiūyǔ lián'ér, gèng tiān jǐ fēn chóuxù.

The continuous autumn rain added a touch of melancholy.

离别的愁思,在他心中泛起难以平息的漪。

Líbié de chóusī, zài tā xīnzhōng fànqǐ nányǐ píngxī de liányī.

The sorrow of parting stirred up ripples in his heart that were hard to calm.

感情的波,有时比海上的风暴更难预测。

Gǎnqíng de liánbō, yǒushí bǐ hǎishàng de fēngbào gèng nán yùcè.

The ripples of emotion are sometimes harder to predict than a storm at sea.