About
The character 醒, constructed from the semantic component 酉 denoting wine or alcohol and the phonetic component 星 meaning star, originally conveyed the specific state of sobering up from intoxication, metaphorically suggesting the emergence of clarity as stars become visible in the night sky. Over time, its meaning expanded beyond the context of alcohol to encompass the general acts of waking from sleep and attaining mental alertness or awareness. While its graphical form has maintained stability, the conceptual shift from physical sobriety to broader awakenings reflects an adaptation in usage that allowed the character to accumulate more abstract layers of meaning without altering its fundamental structure.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我早上七点醒来。
快醒醒，要迟到了。
咖啡能帮助人清醒。
闹钟没能把他叫醒。
他刚刚从梦中惊醒。
这件事给我敲响了警醒。
寒冷的空气让他瞬间清醒。
春天让沉睡的万物苏醒。