About
The character for "intestine" originates from a phono-semantic construction, clearly seen in the traditional form "腸", which combines the radical "肉" (flesh) to indicate its physical nature and the component "昜" to provide phonetic guidance. This formation consistently pointed to its primary meaning as an internal organ responsible for digestion. Over time, while the core definition remained stable, the character's application broadened in some literary and colloquial contexts to encompass metaphorical references to inner feelings or gut instincts, reflecting a slight semantic extension beyond purely anatomical usage. Graphically, the character experienced a gradual simplification process, yielding the current form "肠" where the phonetic element is reduced, yet the enduring presence of the flesh radical preserves the original conceptual link to the body.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我喜欢吃香肠。
香肠是肉做的。
他肠胃不舒服。
肠道健康很重要。
医生检查了他的肠道。
这种食物容易伤肠胃。
她因为肠炎住院了。
微生物在肠道中发挥作用。