Definitions

shǎn furtively glance; glittering

Etymology

About

A phono-semantic compound, combines the eye radical , marking an action related to vision, with the phonetic . Its core meaning is to glance quickly, blink, or peer. By metaphorically linking this rapid eye movement to the quick flashing of light, the character also describes a sparkling or glittering visual effect. The semantic range thus stays grounded in concrete visual experience, capturing both the physical act of glancing and the resulting perception of sudden, bright flashes without evolving into disconnected abstractions.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern