Definitions

(noun) epidemic; plague

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic:

About

The character 疫, which signifies epidemic disease, is structured as a phono-semantic compound with the sickness radical 疒 paired with 役, the latter primarily offering phonetic guidance while subtly conveying the notion of widespread affectation. Its etymological origins align with early conceptions of contagious maladies that traverse populations, a meaning consistently preserved in classical texts where it denoted outbreaks of pestilence. The core sense of 疫 as a collective scourge has remained stable through time, though its application has naturally expanded within modern terminology to address specific epidemiological phenomena without departing from its historical association with communicable illness.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Jin dynasty (266-316 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

情正在好转。

Yìqíng zhèngzài hǎozhuǎn.

The epidemic situation is improving.

我们都要接种苗。

Wǒmen dōu yào jiēzhòng yìmiáo.

We all need to get vaccinated.

措施很重要。

Fángyì cuòshī hěn zhòngyào.

Epidemic prevention measures are very important.

这场瘟影响了很多国家。

Zhè chǎng wēnyì yǐngxiǎngle hěnduō guójiā.

This plague has affected many countries.

政府发布了新的抗指南。

Zhèngfǔ fābùle xīn de kàngyì zhǐnán.

The government issued new guidelines for combating the epidemic.

流行病学家正在研究苗的有效性。

Liúxíngbìng xuéjiā zhèngzài yánjiū yìmiáo de yǒuxiàoxìng.

Epidemiologists are studying the effectiveness of vaccines.

由于情,许多国际会议被推迟了。

Yóuyú yìqíng, xǔduō guójì huìyì bèi tuīchí le.

Due to the epidemic, many international conferences have been postponed.

情期间,保持社交距离是必要的。

Zài yìqíng qījiān, bǎochí shèjiāo jùlí shì bìyào de.

During the epidemic period, maintaining social distance is necessary.