Definitions
(noun)
chest; bosom; thorax
(noun)
heart; mind
Etymology
Phonosemantic compound. ⺼ represents the meaning and 匈 represents the sound.
About
The character for "chest" or "bosom", now commonly written as 胸, originated from an earlier form 匈, which itself represented the chest cavity and later specifically came to denote the Xiongnu people. To clarify its anatomical meaning, the flesh radical (月, a variant of 肉) was added, resulting in the character 胸, which explicitly links the concept to the body. The component 凶 within it primarily serves a phonetic function, though it may also subtly suggest the hollow cavity of the chest. Over time, the meaning of 胸 extended beyond the physical torso to encompass the metaphorical seat of emotions and intellect, as seen in terms like 胸襟 (breadth of mind) and 胸有成竹 (to have a well-thought-out plan), reflecting an understanding of the chest as the center of one's inner feelings and intentions.
Example Sentences Hide
他的胸部很疼痛。
医生检查了他的胸部。
他胸怀宽广，乐于助人。
他挺起胸膛，走向前方。
她的胸针别在连衣裙的领口上。
他的胸襟开阔，能够接受不同意见。
在激烈的运动中，他感到胸部有些不适。
这位设计师擅长通过服装剪裁突出女性的胸部曲线。