About
The character "肺", denoting the lung, is a phono-semantic compound integrating the semantic radical "月", which signifies flesh or bodily parts, with the phonetic component "巿" to guide its pronunciation, a structural relationship that has endured through historical usage despite some phonetic drift in the components over time. Its etymology firmly anchors it to the physical organ, with the semantic element consistently marking its biological category, while the phonetic part originally mirrored its sound in earlier stages of the language. The meaning of "肺" has remained centrally focused on the respiratory organ, though classical texts occasionally extended its use into metaphorical domains, as seen in compounds like "肺腑" to express heartfelt sincerity or innermost feelings, thereby adding a layer of figurative application without displacing its primary anatomical reference. Throughout its history, the character's form and fundamental significance have demonstrated considerable stability, preserving its essential role in both general discourse and medical terminology.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
吸烟对肺有害。
他的肺部很健康。
医生建议他保护肺。
肺炎是一种常见疾病。
肺癌的早期症状不明显。
定期检查肺功能很重要。
环境污染会影响肺部健康。
科学家正在研究肺病的治疗方法。