Definitions

wǎng (noun) net; network

Etymology

Pictograph of a net.

About

The character 网, traditionally written as 網, originated as a pictograph of a woven fishing or hunting net. Its simplified form features an outer frame 冂 enclosing two crossing lines 乂, visually representing the mesh structure. The traditional character 網 combines the silk radical 糸 with the phonetic component 罔, indicating a net made from woven threads. Originally meaning a physical tool for catching prey, 网 has broadened in modern usage to describe any interconnected system, such as social networks or the internet.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

蜘蛛在树上。

Zhīzhū wǎng zài shù shàng.

There is a spider web on the tree.

我喜欢上购物。

Wǒ xǐhuān shàngwǎng gòuwù.

I like shopping online.

他每天上聊天。

Tā měitiān shàngwǎng liáotiān.

He chats online every day.

络连接很快。

Wǎngluò liánjiē hěn kuài.

The network connection is very fast.

互联改变生活。

Hùliánwǎng gǎibiàn shēnghuó.

The internet changes life.

我们需要络安全。

Wǒmen xūyào wǎngluò ānquán.

We need network security.

她通过课学习英语。

Tā tōngguò wǎngkè xuéxí Yīngyǔ.

She learns English through online courses.

随着互联的普及,人们获取信息的方式发生了巨大变化。

Suízhe hùliánwǎng de pǔjí, rénmen huòqǔ xìnxī de fāngshì fāshēng le jùdà biànhuà.

With the popularity of the internet, the way people obtain information has undergone tremendous changes.