Definitions

nán (noun,adjective) male
nán (noun) baron (ancient title of nobility)

Etymology

Traditionally males () were the people who plowed () the fields ().

About

The character "男", meaning male, is composed of the semantic components "田" (field) and "力" (strength), a structure that originates from an early societal link between masculine identity and the physical exertion required for cultivation. This compound ideogram has maintained its fundamental form without alteration, and its primary denotation of an adult human male has remained constant throughout its use. The character's application expanded within the language to serve in terms indicating related social roles, such as son or husband, based on its core meaning.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Jin dynasty (266-420 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

那个孩在跑步。

Nàge nánhái zài pǎobù.

That boy is running.

这个人是我的父亲。

Zhège nánrén shì wǒ de fùqin.

This man is my father.

学生和女学生都在教室里。

Nán xuéshēng hé nǚ xuéshēng dōu zài jiàoshì lǐ.

Both the male and female students are in the classroom.

孩们正在公园里踢足球。

Nánháimen zhèngzài gōngyuán lǐ tī zúqiú.

The boys are playing soccer in the park.

这位医生非常负责任。

Zhè wèi nán yīshēng fēicháng fù zérèn.

This male doctor is very responsible.

女平等是现代社会的普遍原则。

Nánnǚ píngděng shì xiàndài shèhuì de pǔbiàn yuánzé.

Gender equality is a universal principle of modern society.

选拔队员时,不应有性别歧视,女均可报名。

Xuǎnbá duìyuán shí, bù yìng yǒu xìngbié qíshì, nánnǚ jūn kě bàomíng.

When selecting team members, there should be no gender discrimination; both men and women can sign up.

在许多文化中,传统的主外女主内的观念正在逐渐改变。

Zài xǔduō wénhuà zhōng, chuántǒng de nán zhǔ wài nǚ zhǔ nèi de guānniàn zhèngzài zhújiàn gǎibiàn.

In many cultures, the traditional notion of men being responsible for outside work and women for domestic affairs is gradually changing.