腆

tiǎn

典 + 月

Definitions

tiǎn make strong (as liquors); virtuous

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. ⺼ represents the meaning and 典 represents the sound.

Semantic: ⺼ Phonetic: 典

About

The character 腆 is a phono-semantic compound. Its left component is the flesh radical 月 (originally 肉), which indicates the semantic category relates to the body or physical substance. The right component 典 provides the phonetic element. The primary meaning is "thick" or "abundant". In physical contexts, it can describe the action of protruding or thrusting out the chest or stomach. Classically, it also refers to generous or lavish gifts, consistently reflecting a core sense of material fullness.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他很腼腆，不爱说话。

Tā hěn miǎntiǎn, bù ài shuōhuà.

He is very shy and doesn't like to talk.

那个男孩腼腆地笑了笑。

Nàge nánhái miǎntiǎn de xiào le xiào.

That boy smiled shyly.

她第一次登台，显得有点腼腆。

Tā dì yī cì dēngtái, xiǎnde yǒudiǎn miǎntiǎn.

She seemed a bit shy during her first stage appearance.

他居然腆着脸又来借钱。

Tā jūrán tiǎn zhe liǎn yòu lái jiè qián.

He actually had the cheek to come borrow money again.

老板腆着肚子走进了会议室。

Lǎobǎn tiǎn zhe dùzi zǒu jìnle huìyìshì.

The boss walked into the meeting room with his potbelly sticking out.

他总是一副腼腆的样子，其实很健谈。

Tā zǒngshì yī fù miǎntiǎn de yàngzi, qíshí hěn jiàntán.

He always appears shy, but actually he is very talkative.

大家别客气，腆腹而食才能尽兴。

Dàjiā bié kèqì, tiǎn fù ér shí cáinéng jìnxìng.

Don't stand on ceremony, everyone; eating to your heart's content is the way to enjoy yourselves.

他心中羞愧，却不得不腆颜相求。

Tā xīnzhōng xiūkuì, què bùdébù tiǎnyán xiāng qiú.

He felt ashamed in his heart, but had no choice but to brazenly make the request.

Related Characters

Component: 典

Component: 月

腆