Definitions

nǎn blushing with shame

Etymology phono-semantic

red

Semantic:

About

denotes the physical act of blushing, the face reddening from shame, embarrassment, or shyness. It is a phono-semantic compound: the radical on the left means "red", indicating flushed skin, while the right component 𠬝 supplies the pronunciation. Used chiefly in literary contexts, typically collocates with words for face or shame, highlighting the visible, red manifestation of an inner emotional state.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern