Definitions

yíng a glimmer; glimmering; twinkling; fluorescence; phosphorescence; perplexed; dazzled and confused; planet Mars (arch.)

Etymology

Simplified form of . Depicts the glimmering fire light () from two torches crossing each other (𤇾).

Semantic:

About

The character "荧", meaning a faint or glimmering light, originates from an ancient concept of a contained or reflected glow. Its traditional form, "熒", visually depicts this idea through a structural composition where the radical for fire ("火") is positioned beneath a component representing an enclosure or covering, suggesting a light source that is shielded, subdued, or perhaps reflected, rather than blazing openly. Over centuries, its application shifted from primarily describing literal, soft luminosity, such as the gleam of certain minerals or celestial bodies, to encompassing metaphorical uses for anything dimly perceptible or vaguely apparent, like a faint hope or a subtle influence, while its core association with a subdued radiant quality remained intact.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Jin dynasty (266-316 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Jin dynasty (266-316 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

光照亮了房间。

Yíngguāng zhàoliàng le fángjiān.

The fluorescent light illuminated the room.

屏幕发出幽幽的光。

Píngmù fāchū yōuyōu de yíngguāng.

The screen emitted a faint fluorescent glow.

这种材料在紫外线下会发出光。

Zhè zhǒng cáiliào zài zǐwàixiàn xià huì fāchū yíngguāng.

This material fluoresces under ultraviolet light.

飞舞的萤火虫闪着点点光。

Fēiwǔ de yínghuǒchóng shǎn zhe diǎndiǎn yíngguāng.

The dancing fireflies flickered with points of fluorescent light.

演员们经常出现在电视屏上。

Yǎnyuánmen jīngcháng chūxiàn zài diànshì yíngpíng shàng.

Actors often appear on the television screen.

古老的宝石在黑暗中发出微弱的光。

Gǔlǎo de bǎoshí zài hēi'àn zhōng fāchū wéiruò de yíngguāng.

The ancient gemstone emitted a faint fluorescence in the darkness.

这台显示器的屏保护程序很特别。

Zhè tái xiǎnshìqì de yíngpíng bǎohù chéngxù hěn tèbié.

This monitor's screensaver is very special.

探测器在洞穴深处捕捉到微弱的

Tàncè qì zài dòngxué shēnchù bǔzhuō dào wéiruò de yíng.

The detector captured a faint fluorescence in the depths of the cave.