Definitions

tuó ruddy, flushed

Etymology phono-semantic

wine

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

is a phono-semantic character describing the flushed facial appearance that follows alcohol consumption. The radical on the left is a stylized drawing of an ancient wine vessel and marks the domain of alcohol and fermentation; the phonetic radical (tā) on the right indicates the sound. The character's meaning is confined to alcohol-induced reddening of the face and does not extend to broader color or emotional ideas.