About
The character "胞" is constructed from the semantic component 月 (a variant form of 肉, meaning "flesh" or "body") combined with the phonetic and semantic component 包, meaning "to wrap" or "envelope", which together convey its core concept of a wrapped or enclosing flesh. Its earliest meaning was specifically the placenta, the biological envelope that nourishes the fetus, a sense still retained in modern terms like "胞衣" (afterbirth). From this concrete, anatomical foundation, its meaning extended metaphorically to denote individuals born from the same womb, giving rise to the meaning of "sibling" as seen in "同胞". This concept of shared origin was further abstracted to express a profound sense of shared identity and belonging, leading to its use in terms like "胞兄" (uterine brother) and "侨胞" (compatriots overseas), where it signifies a connection deeper than mere nationality, rooted in a perceived common descent or vital kinship.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我们大家都是同胞。
人体由无数细胞组成。
这些细胞需要营养。
同胞之间应该互相帮助。
科学家研究细胞结构。
他的胞弟在北京工作。
细胞分裂是生长的基础。
全球同胞应共同保护环境。