Definitions

(adjective) dense; thick (of vegetation)
(adjective) melancholy; depressed
(adjective) elegant; refined

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Simplified form of .

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "郁" in its traditional and more complex form as "鬱" originally depicted dense, luxuriant vegetation, with its intricate structure evoking the image of a lush forest. Over time, this core meaning of lushness and profusion expanded metaphorically to describe abstract qualities, most notably a dense or pent-up emotional state, giving rise to its modern association with melancholy or gloom. The simplified form "郁" represents a significant structural reduction, merging the phonetic component of "yu" with the semantic radical for city or region, yet it retains the dual connotations of both fragrant abundance and somber mood, demonstrating a layering of meanings from the tangible to the psychological across its historical development.

Etymology Hide

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

Example Sentences Hide

金香很美。

Yùjīnxiāng hěn měi.

Tulips are very beautiful.

我今天有点闷。

Wǒ jīntiān yǒudiǎn yùmèn.

I am a little depressed today.

咖啡的味道很浓

Kāfēi de wèidào hěn nóngyù.

The coffee has a rich flavor.

她的眼神中带着忧

Tā de yǎnshén zhōng dàizhe yōuyù.

There is melancholy in her eyes.

他心中结着烦恼。

Tā xīnzhōng yùjiézhe fánnǎo.

He has pent-up worries in his heart.

夏天的夜晚非常热。

Xiàtiān de yèwǎn fēicháng yùrè.

Summer nights are very sultry.

森林里弥漫着浓的木香。

Sēnlín lǐ mímànzhe nóngyù de mùxiāng.

The forest is filled with the rich scent of wood.

长期忧可能导致心理健康问题。

Chángqī yōuyù kěnéng dǎozhì xīnlǐ jiànkāng wèntí.

Long-term melancholy may lead to mental health issues.