瞳

tóng
目 + 童

Definitions

tóng pupil of the eye

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 目 represents the meaning and 童 represents the sound.

Semantic: 目 Phonetic: 童

About

The character 瞳 (tóng) is a phono-semantic compound where the eye radical 目 (mù) on the left indicates its semantic connection to vision, while the right component 童 (tóng) provides the phonetic value. Historically and in modern usage, it refers exclusively to the pupil, the dark circular opening in the iris that regulates light. Due to its specific anatomical meaning, the character has not developed broader senses, remaining closely tied to the eyes and sight. It appears in medical terminology and descriptive language, featuring in compounds like 瞳孔 (pupil) and 双瞳 (double pupils).

Example Sentences Hide

他的瞳孔很小。

Tā de tóngkǒng hěn xiǎo.

His pupils are very small.

猫的瞳孔会变化。

Māo de tóngkǒng huì biànhuà.

A cat's pupils can change.

医生检查了我的瞳孔。

Yīshēng jiǎnchá le wǒ de tóngkǒng.

The doctor examined my pupils.

在强光下瞳孔会收缩。

Zài qiángguāng xià tóngkǒng huì shōusuō.

Pupils contract under bright light.

她的瞳孔颜色非常浅。

Tā de tóngkǒng yánsè fēicháng qiǎn.

The color of her pupils is very light.

瞳孔的大小反映情绪状态。

Tóngkǒng de dàxiǎo fǎnyìng qíngxù zhuàngtài.

The size of pupils reflects emotional state.

通过观察瞳孔可以诊断疾病。

Tōngguò guānchá tóngkǒng kěyǐ zhěnduàn jíbìng.

Diseases can be diagnosed by observing pupils.

科学家研究瞳孔对光的反应机制。

Kēxuéjiā yánjiū tóngkǒng duì guāng de fǎnyìng jīzhì.

Scientists study the mechanism of pupils' response to light.

Related Characters

Component: 目

着 看 相 目 眼 省 睛 督 睡 冒 泪 眉 瞧 盯

Component: 童

撞 幢 憧 潼 僮 疃 艟 鐘 穜 噇 曈 朣 獞 罿

Example Words

美瞳 瞳孔 瞳仁 瞳距