炫

xuàn

火 + 玄

Definitions

xuàn to dazzle; to boast; to show off; (slang) cool; awesome

Etymology phono-semantic

fire

Semantic: 火 Phonetic: 玄

About

The character 炫 (xuàn) is a phono-semantic compound originally describing the dazzling brightness or brilliant glare of a fire. Its left side contains the fire radical 火 (huǒ), providing the semantic category of light and flame, while the right side, 玄 (xuán), contributes the pronunciation. From this base of physical luminescence, the meaning later extended metaphorically to refer to showing off or boastfully displaying one's wealth or skills to impress others, linking literal shining with the pursuit of social attention.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他的新车很炫。

Tā de xīn chē hěn xuàn.

His new car is very flashy.

别总炫耀你的成绩。

Bié zǒng xuànyào nǐ de chéngjì.

Don't always show off your grades.

灯光效果非常炫目。

Dēngguāng xiàoguǒ fēichāng xuànmù.

The lighting effects are extremely dazzling.

他喜欢炫技，但不实用。

Tā xǐhuan xuànjì, dàn bù shíyòng.

He likes to show off his skills, but it's not practical.

这款游戏的特效太炫酷了。

Zhè kuǎn yóuxì de tèxiào tài xuànkù le.

The special effects in this game are too cool and dazzling.

她在社交媒体上炫富。

Tā zài shèjiāo méitǐ shàng xuànfù.

She flaunts her wealth on social media.

虚拟世界的色彩炫得让人晕眩。

Xūnǐ shìjiè de sècǎi xuàn dé ràng rén yūnxuàn.

The colors in the virtual world are so dazzling that they make people dizzy.

他用华丽的辞藻炫示，只为博取眼球。

Tā yòng huálì de cízǎo xuànshì, zhǐ wèi bóqǔ yǎnqiú.

He uses flowery language to show off, just to attract attention.

Related Characters

Component: 火

Component: 玄

炫