Definitions

jǐn brilliancy (of gems)

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "瑾" is structured with the jade radical 玉 on the left and the component 堇 on the right, which primarily provides phonetic guidance but may also hint at associated qualities, forming a compound that originally denoted a specific variety of high-quality jade in early Chinese texts. Etymologically centered on this tangible precious stone, the term gradually accumulated abstract connotations, shifting from purely material reference to embodying ideals of moral beauty and personal virtue, a semantic expansion that encouraged its adoption in personal names to convey refined character. This transition from a concrete noun to a symbol of ethical and aesthetic worth reflects a broader pattern in the development of Chinese characters, where inherent material qualities inspire figurative meanings without losing their original essence.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Jin dynasty (266-316 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这块玉非常珍贵。

Zhè kuài jǐn yù fēicháng zhēnguì.

This piece of jade is very precious.

我的朋友名叫瑜。

Wǒ de péngyou míng jiào Jǐnyú.

My friend's name is Jinyu.

她佩戴着一枚玉戒指。

Tā pèidàizhe yī méi jǐn yù jièzhi.

She is wearing a jade ring.

瑜的品德如同美玉。

Jǐnyú de pǐndé rútóng měi yù.

Jinyu's moral character is like fine jade.

这件玉工艺品来自苏州。

Zhè jiàn jǐn yù gōngyìpǐn láizì Sūzhōu.

This jade handicraft comes from Suzhou.

他的赠言字字珠玑,言如瑜。

Tā de zèngyán zìzì zhūjī, yán rú jǐnyú.

His parting words were each a pearl, his speech like fine jade.

在传统文化中,瑜常用来比喻美德。

Zài chuántǒng wénhuà zhōng, jǐnyú cháng yòng lái bǐyù měidé.

In traditional culture, fine jade is often used as a metaphor for virtue.

她将这块家传的玉视若生命。

Tā jiāng zhè kuài jiāchuán de jǐn yù shì ruò shēngmìng.

She regards this family-heirloom jade as her very life.