Definitions
(noun)
cave; hole; cavity
(noun)
acupuncture point
Etymology
Depicts a cave opening.
About
The character "穴" derives from an early pictograph depicting a hole or cavity, and its structural form has maintained this essential concept across time. Originally referring to a physical hollow such as a cave or pit, its meaning gradually extended to include any analogous opening or void, leading to its use in terms for niches, tunnels, and animal dens. This conceptual broadening further allowed it to denote more abstract points of access or focus, most notably within traditional Chinese medicine where it specifies the precise spots on the skin known as acupoints. Functioning as a radical, it contributes meaning to a range of characters associated with enclosures or apertures, such as "窖" for cellar or "窗" for window, thereby consistently anchoring words in the semantic field of hollow spaces.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
这个洞穴很深。
兔子住在洞穴里。
医生正在按压穴位。
探险队发现了一个新洞穴。
这个蚁穴的结构非常复杂。
穴位按摩有助于缓解疲劳。
他们在山壁上找到了一个隐蔽的洞穴。
这项政策的漏洞就像一个无法填补的穴。