Definitions

diàn (noun) suburbs; outskirts
diàn (noun) field; farmland (archaic)

Etymology

Same in origin to . Depicts a person () working in the fields (). also represents the sound. The meaning later shifted to "crops" and "suburbs of capital".

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "甸" originates from an early representation of land that was designated or administered, with its structure combining the element for "field" (田) over a component suggesting enclosure or bundling, reflecting its original sense of a defined territorial area. In ancient contexts, it specifically referred to outlying suburban lands or districts that were under the jurisdiction and service of a central authority, often for purposes of hunting or resource extraction. Over time, while retaining its fundamental connection to land, its application became more generalized, often appearing in literary or compound words to denote a countryside or rural area, and it also developed a separate, less common use as a unit of weight. This progression shows a shift from a precise administrative term toward broader geographical and quantitative concepts.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Cao Wei (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这个包裹沉的。

Zhège bāoguǒ chéndiàndiàn de.

This package is very heavy.

他的手里提着沉的箱子。

Tā de shǒu lǐ tízhe chéndiàndiàn de xiāngzi.

He is carrying a heavy box in his hand.

是东南亚的一个国家。

Miǎndiàn shì dōngnányà de yī gè guójiā.

Myanmar is a country in Southeast Asia.

窗外是绿油油的草

Chuāng wài shì lǜyóuyóu de cǎodiàn.

Outside the window is a lush green meadow.

传说中伊园是人间乐园。

Chuánshuō zhōng Yìdiànyuán shì rénjiān lèyuán.

In legend, the Garden of Eden is an earthly paradise.

这片子适合放牧牲畜。

Zhè piàn diànzi shìhé fàngmù shēngchù.

This pastureland is suitable for grazing livestock.

他的工作范围包括厂区和生活区。

Tā de gōngzuò fànwéi bāokuò chǎngqū hé shēnghuó diànqū.

His work scope includes the factory area and the residential district.

该地区的土主要由河流冲积而成。

Gāi dìqū de diàntǔ zhǔyào yóu héliú chōngjī ér chéng.

The paddy soil in this region is mainly formed by river alluviation.