甜

tián

甘 + 舌

HSK 2.0Level 3

HSK 3.0Level 3

Definitions

tián (adjective) sweet

Etymology

Depicts the tongue (舌) tasting something sweet (甘).

About

甜 is a compound ideograph that visually combines 舌 (tongue) on the left and 甘 (sweet) on the right, portraying the tongue tasting something sweet. This yields the primary meaning of a sweet or pleasant flavor. Over time, the meaning has extended metaphorically from the physical sensation of tasting sweet foods to describe pleasant sounds, deep and restful sleep, affectionately spoken words, and happy or emotionally satisfying situations. The component 甘 not only reinforces the semantic idea of sweetness but also plays a role in indicating the character's historical pronunciation.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这西瓜很甜。

Zhè xīguā hěn tián.

This watermelon is very sweet.

她的笑容很甜美。

Tā de xiàoróng hěn tiánměi.

Her smile is very sweet.

蜂蜜的味道是甜的。

Fēngmì de wèidào shì tián de.

The taste of honey is sweet.

他给我讲了一个甜蜜的故事。

Tā gěi wǒ jiǎng le yí gè tiánmì de gùshì.

He told me a sweet story.

童年回忆总是带着甜味。

Tóngnián huíyì zǒng shì dài zhe tián wèi.

Childhood memories always carry a sweet taste.

苦尽甘来，生活先苦后甜。

Kǔ jìn gān lái, shēnghuó xiān kǔ hòu tián.

After suffering comes happiness; life is bitter before it becomes sweet.

这份成功的喜悦格外甜美。

Zhè fèn chénggōng de xǐyuè géwài tiánměi.

The joy of this success is exceptionally sweet.

他用甜言蜜语哄她开心。

Tā yòng tián yán mì yǔ hǒng tā kāixīn.

He used sweet words to coax her into happiness.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 甘

Component: 舌

甜