瑞

ruì

王 + 耑

Definitions

ruì (adjective) auspicious; lucky; propitious

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 玉 represents the meaning and 耑 represents the sound.

Semantic: 王 Phonetic: 耑

About

瑞 is a phono-semantic compound combining the semantic radical 玉 (jade, written as 王 on the left) and the phonetic 耑. Originally, it denoted a jade tally or ceremonial jade token that a ruler bestowed upon nobles as a symbol of authority or pledge of trust. Highly prized and associated with divine favor and royal blessings, these jade objects led the meaning to broaden into general auspiciousness, good omens, and luck, its primary sense today.

Etymology Hide

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical Cao Wei (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)

Clerical Wu (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

瑞士是一个美丽的国家。

Ruìshì shì yīgè měilì de guójiā.

Switzerland is a beautiful country.

瑞丽是云南的一个城市。

Ruìlì shì Yúnnán de yīgè chéngshì.

Ruili is a city in Yunnan.

我朋友住在浙江瑞安。

Wǒ péngyǒu zhù zài Zhèjiāng Ruì'ān.

My friend lives in Rui'an, Zhejiang.

昨晚下了一场瑞雪。

Zuó wǎn xiàle yī chǎng ruì xuě.

Last night, there was an auspicious snow.

房间里充满了瑞气。

Fángjiān lǐ chōngmǎnle ruì qì.

The room is filled with auspicious air.

龙是中国古代的瑞兽。

Lóng shì Zhōngguó gǔdài de ruì shòu.

The dragon is an auspicious beast in ancient China.

彩虹被认为是瑞兆。

Cǎihóng bèi rènwéi shì ruì zhào.

The rainbow is considered an auspicious sign.

瑞金是红色旅游的重要地点。

Ruìjīn shì hóngsè lǚyóu de zhòngyào dìdiǎn.

Ruijin is an important site for red tourism.

Related Characters

Component: 王

Component: 耑

瑞