蛋

dàn
疋 + 虫

Definitions

dàn (noun) egg
dàn (noun) oval-shaped thing

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 虫 represents the meaning and 延 represents the sound.

Semantic: 虫 Phonetic: 延

About

蛋 is a phonosemantic compound: 虫 ('insect') hints at the meaning, while 延 (yán), simplified to 疋, gives the sound. Originally it denoted eggs of birds, reptiles, and insects, reflecting an ancient classification that grouped egg-laying creatures under the insect radical. Over time, the meaning broadened to include eggs of any animal, and it became the standard word for poultry eggs such as chicken and duck eggs. In colloquial and slang usage, it often acts as a derogatory suffix to criticize a person's undesirable traits, or as a lighthearted term for anything spherical or oval.

Example Sentences Hide

鸡蛋很有营养。

Jī dàn hěn yǒu yíng yǎng.

Eggs are very nutritious.

妈妈早餐做了煎鸡蛋。

Mā ma zǎo cān zuò le jiān jī dàn.

Mom made fried eggs for breakfast.

蛋糕上插着生日蜡烛。

Dàn gāo shàng chā zhe shēng rì là zhú.

There are birthday candles on the cake.

他小心地把蛋壳剥了下来。

Tā xiǎo xīn de bǎ dàn ké bāo le xià lái.

He carefully peeled off the eggshell.

科学家在实验室里研究蛋白质。

Kē xué jiā zài shí yàn shì lǐ yán jiū dàn bái zhì.

Scientists are studying proteins in the laboratory.

这个厨师最拿手的是苏格兰蛋。

Zhè ge chú shī zuì ná shǒu de shì sū gé lán dàn.

This chef's specialty is Scotch eggs.

他讲话时紧张得像个滚动的蛋。

Tā jiǎng huà shí jǐn zhāng de xiàng gè gǔn dòng de dàn.

He was as nervous as a rolling egg when he spoke.

鸟蛋的孵化过程需要恒定的温度。

Niǎo dàn de fū huà guò chéng xū yào héng dìng de wēn dù.

The hatching process of bird eggs requires a constant temperature.

Related Characters

Component: 疋

疑 楚 胥 疋 疍 疐

Component: 虫

虽 独 触 融 虫 蛇 蜂 蜜 蛮 虹 蝶 螺 蚁 烛

Example Words

彩蛋 蛋糕 鸡蛋 下蛋 坏蛋 完蛋 扯蛋 捣蛋 操蛋 混蛋 滚蛋 炒蛋 煎蛋 王八蛋 皮蛋 笨蛋 脸蛋 荷包蛋 蛋卷 蛋挞 蛋清 蛋疼 蛋白 蛋白质