About
The character "绵", traditionally written as "綿", is etymologically linked to textiles through its components, combining the silk radical with the element for silk cloth to denote soft, fibrous materials like silk floss or cotton. This structural focus on pliable substances provided a foundation for its meanings, which gradually extended from describing physical softness to conveying abstract concepts of continuity and endurance, such as in terms for unbroken landscapes or sustained efforts. The simplified form maintains the silk radical, preserving the core semantic association while the character's usage evolved from concrete material references to broader metaphorical applications.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
这只绵羊很柔软。
细雨绵绵不断。
山脉绵延千里。
这块布料很绵软。
我愿尽绵薄之力。
他们的友谊绵长持久。
他的思维绵密而严谨。
历史如绵延的河流般悠长。