Definitions

wān (noun) bay; gulf
wān (verb) to moor; to anchor

Etymology

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

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "湾", denoting a bay or gulf, traces its origins to the traditional form "灣", a compound ideograph that combines the water radical "氵" with the component "彎", meaning to bend or curve, thus etymologically conveying the concept of a curved body of water. In its simplified iteration, the complex element "彎" is substituted with "弯", itself a simplified character for bend, which retains the original semantic relationship between water and curvature. While its graphical structure has been altered, the character's fundamental meaning has persisted over time, consistently referring to coastal inlets or river bends without substantial deviation, and it remains employed in geographical nomenclature and descriptive contexts related to aquatic formations.

Example Sentences Hide

这个海很漂亮。

Zhège hǎiwān hěn piàoliang.

This bay is very beautiful.

我们计划去台旅行。

Wǒmen jìhuà qù Táiwān lǚxíng.

We plan to travel to Taiwan.

船缓缓驶入了宁静的港

Chuán huǎnhuǎn shǐrùle níngjìng de gǎngwān.

The ship slowly sailed into the tranquil harbor.

墨西哥的石油资源很丰富。

Mòxīgē wān de shíyóu zīyuán hěn fēngfù.

The Gulf of Mexico is rich in petroleum resources.

处是钓鱼的好地方。

Hé wān chù shì diàoyú de hǎo dìfāng.

The river bend is a good place for fishing.

北部的经济合作正在加强。

Běibù Wān de jīngjì hézuò zhèngzài jiāqiáng.

Economic cooperation in the Beibu Gulf is strengthening.

这个深海有着独特的生态系统。

Zhège shēnhǎi wān yǒuzhe dútè de shēngtài xìtǒng.

This deep-sea bay has a unique ecosystem.

珠江三角洲位于珠江口及其沿岸区内。

Zhūjiāng sānjiǎozhōu wèiyú Zhūjiāng kǒu jí qí yán'àn wān qū nèi.

The Pearl River Delta is located within the Pearl River Estuary and its coastal bay area.