About
The character 缓, traditionally written as 緩, structurally combines the silk radical 糸 (simplified to 纟) with the component 爰, which primarily serves a phonetic function. The silk radical implies a connection to pliability or gradual movement, aligning with the character's fundamental meanings of slowness, delay, or leisure. Its initial use centered on describing physical tardiness, but over time its semantic range expanded to include actions such as relaxing tension, easing pressure, or reducing severity. The component 爰, which appears in other characters related to stretching or pulling, reinforces notions of protracted action. While the constituent elements of the character have remained consistent, its applications broadened from literal slowness to metaphorical senses of alleviation or deceleration.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
他的动作非常缓慢。
我们需要缓和一下气氛。
这种药可以缓解疼痛。
经济增长正在放缓。
缓冲地带减少了冲突。
他的反应有些迟缓。
音乐让我的心情舒缓下来。
法官决定对他缓刑两年。