Definitions

xuàn adorned; swift; gorgeous; brilliant; variegated

Etymology

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

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

, the simplified form of , is a phono-semantic compound: (silk, from ) indicates the meaning, and (xún) gives the sound. Originally it denoted the intricate, colorful patterns woven into silk fabrics or the ornamental binding on edges. Over time, the meaning broadened to describe anything brilliantly colored, gorgeous, or dazzling. In modern usage, it appears mainly in compounds like 绚丽 (radiant, gorgeous) for vivid beauty and visual displays, no longer confined to textiles.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

她的裙子很烂。

Tā de qúnzi hěn xuànlàn.

Her dress is very gorgeous.

彩虹有着丽的色彩。

Cǎihóng yǒu zhe xuànlì de sècǎi.

The rainbow has brilliant colors.

晚霞把天空染得烂多彩。

Wǎnxiá bǎ tiānkōng rǎn de xuànlàn duōcǎi.

The sunset clouds dyed the sky in brilliant and colorful hues.

青春是一段烂的时光。

Qīngchūn shì yī duàn xuànlàn de shíguāng.

Youth is a splendid period of time.

舞台上丽的灯光令人目不暇接。

Wǔtái shàng xuànlì de dēngguāng lìng rén mùbùxiájiē.

The dazzling stage lights are a feast for the eyes.

这幅画用色极其烂大胆。

Zhè fú huà yòngsè jíqí xuànlàn dàdǎn.

This painting uses extremely brilliant and bold colors.

她为自己的人生描绘了丽的篇章。

Tā wèi zìjǐ de rénshēng miáohuì le xuànlì de piānzhāng.

She has painted a splendid chapter for her own life.

文化交融碰撞出烂的思想火花。

Wénhuà jiāoróng pèngzhuàng chū xuànlàn de sīxiǎng huǒhuā.

The blending of cultures collides to produce brilliant sparks of thought.