酿

釀

niàng

良 + 酉

Definitions

niàng (verb) to ferment; to brew

niàng (verb) to form gradually; to lead to

niàng (noun) wine

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 酉 represents the meaning and 良 represents the sound. Simplified form of 釀.

Semantic: 酉 Phonetic: 良

About

The character 酿 (釀 in traditional form) is a phono-semantic compound. Its left-side radical 酉, representing a wine vessel, anchors its meaning to fermentation and brewing. The simplified form uses 良 as its phonetic component on the right, while the traditional form uses the more complex 襄. Its core sense refers to the process of fermenting grains or fruits to produce alcoholic beverages, vinegar, or soy sauce. This meaning later extended metaphorically to describe the gradual development or cultivation of events, emotions, or abstract situations over time.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我爸爸会酿酒。

Wǒ bàba huì niàng jiǔ.

My father knows how to brew wine.

这家工厂酿造啤酒。

Zhè jiā gōngchǎng niàngzào píjiǔ.

This factory brews beer.

他们用葡萄酿制红酒。

Tāmen yòng pútáo niàngzhì hóngjiǔ.

They use grapes to make red wine.

他的错误酿成了大祸。

Tā de cuòwù niàngchéng le dà huò.

His mistake led to a great disaster.

这场暴雨酿成了严重的洪水。

Zhè chǎng bàoyǔ niàngchéng le yánzhòng de hóngshuǐ.

This heavy rain caused severe flooding.

如果管理不当，可能会酿成安全事故。

Rúguǒ guǎnlǐ bù dàng, kěnéng huì niàngchéng ānquán shìgù.

If management is improper, it may lead to safety accidents.

传统的酿酒工艺需要很长时间。

Chuántǒng de niàngjiǔ gōngyì xūyào hěn cháng shíjiān.

Traditional wine-making techniques require a long time.

这种微生物在发酵过程中酿出了独特的香味。

Zhè zhǒng wēishēngwù zài fājiào guòchéng zhōng niàng chū le dútè de xiāngwèi.

This microorganism produced a unique fragrance during the fermentation process.

Related Characters

Component: 良

Component: 酉

酿