痒

癢

yǎng

疒 + 羊

HSK 2.0Level 5

HSK 3.0Level 6

Definitions

yǎng (verb) to itch; to feel itchy

yǎng (verb) to tickle

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 疒 represents the meaning and 羊 represents the sound. Simplified form of 癢.

Semantic: 疒 Phonetic: 羊

About

痒 is the simplified form of the traditional character 癢. It belongs to the category of phonosemantic compounds: the radical 疒 (meaning sickness or disease) wraps around the top and left, signaling a physical ailment, while the inner component 羊 (yáng) indicates the pronunciation. The traditional version uses 養 (yǎng) as its phonetic instead. The character's primary meaning is the sensation of an itch on the skin, along with the urge to scratch that specific spot. Figuratively, it can refer to a restless desire or an inner longing to carry out some action.

Etymology Hide

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我的手臂有点痒。

Wǒ de shǒubì yǒudiǎn yǎng.

My arm is a little itchy.

蚊子咬的地方很痒。

Wénzi yǎo de dìfāng hěn yǎng.

The place where the mosquito bit is very itchy.

这种药膏可以止痒。

Zhè zhǒng yàogāo kěyǐ zhǐ yǎng.

This kind of ointment can relieve itching.

如果你觉得痒，就不要抓。

Rúguǒ nǐ juédé yǎng, jiù bùyào zhuā.

If you feel itchy, don't scratch.

穿这件毛衣让我脖子发痒。

Chuān zhè jiàn máoyī ràng wǒ bózi fā yǎng.

Wearing this sweater makes my neck itchy.

过敏反应会导致皮肤红肿和痒。

Guòmǐn fǎnyìng huì dǎozhì pífū hóngzhǒng hé yǎng.

Allergic reactions can cause skin redness, swelling, and itching.

医生建议使用抗组胺药来缓解顽固的痒感。

Yīshēng jiànyì shǐyòng kàngzǔ'àn yào lái huǎnjiě wángù de yǎnggǎn.

The doctor suggested using antihistamines to relieve persistent itching.

尽管涂了药膏，但被虫子叮咬的伤口仍然痒得难以忍受。

Jǐnguǎn túle yàogāo, dàn bèi chóngzi dīngyǎo de shāngkǒu réngrán yǎng de nányǐ rěnshòu.

Although ointment was applied, the wound from the insect bite still itches unbearably.

Related Characters

Component: 疒

Component: 羊

痒