Definitions

xiān (adjective) fine; delicate; slim
qiàn (noun) tow-rope

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Simplified form of .

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The simplified character is a phonosemantic compound: the silk radical suggests the meaning, and provides the sound. It replaces two traditional characters with distinct meanings and pronunciations, (xiān) and (qiàn). In , the silk radical combines with the phonetic , originally referring to extremely fine silk threads and later extending to mean delicate, minute, or slender. also uses but with the phonetic , signifying a strong towrope or the act of towing a boat along a riverbank. The modern form thus merges these separate etymologies under a single simplified character.

Example Sentences Hide

这件衣服材质很细。

Zhè jiàn yīfu cáizhì hěn xiānxì.

The material of this clothing is very fine and delicate.

多吃维对身体有益。

Duō chī xiānwéi duì shēntǐ yǒuyì.

Eating more fiber is beneficial for the body.

她有一双细灵巧的手。

Tā yǒu yì shuāng xiānxì língqiǎo de shǒu.

She has a pair of slender and dexterous hands.

这种维的透气性非常好。

Zhè zhǒng xiānwéi de tòuqìxìng fēicháng hǎo.

This type of fiber has excellent breathability.

化学维在现代纺织业应用广泛。

Huàxué xiānwéi zài xiàndài fǎngzhīyè yìngyòng guǎngfàn.

Synthetic fibers are widely used in the modern textile industry.

她们用绳费力地拉动小船。

Tāmen yòng qiànshéng fèilì de lādòng xiǎo chuán.

They pulled the small boat laboriously with a towline.

这种玻璃维的强度令人惊讶。

Zhè zhǒng bōli xiānwéi de qiángdù lìng rén jīngyà.

The strength of this glass fiber is astonishing.

度是衡量维粗细的重要指标。

Xiāndù shì héngliáng xiānwéi cūxì de zhòngyào zhǐbiāo.

Fineness is an important indicator for measuring the thickness of fibers.