Definitions

niàng (verb) to ferment; to brew
niàng (verb) to form gradually; to lead to
niàng (noun) wine

Etymology

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

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 酿, originating from the traditional form 釀 that integrates the wine radical 酉 with the phonetic element 襄, structurally encodes its initial association with the fermentation process used in producing alcoholic drinks. Its evolution involved a graphical simplification where the complex phonetic was replaced by 良, yet the retained radical continued to anchor the character to its foundational meaning. While the term first specifically described the tangible act of brewing wine, its application broadened over time to encompass figurative senses, such as the gradual development or instigation of conditions, evident in compound words like 酝酿 which denotes a period of incubation or preparation. This semantic expansion allowed the character to convey both the deliberate causation of outcomes and the natural maturation of processes, reflecting an adaptive linguistic journey alongside its orthographic refinement.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我爸爸会酒。

Wǒ bàba huì niàng jiǔ.

My father knows how to brew wine.

这家工厂造啤酒。

Zhè jiā gōngchǎng niàngzào píjiǔ.

This factory brews beer.

他们用葡萄制红酒。

Tāmen yòng pútáo niàngzhì hóngjiǔ.

They use grapes to make red wine.

他的错误成了大祸。

Tā de cuòwù niàngchéng le dà huò.

His mistake led to a great disaster.

这场暴雨成了严重的洪水。

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.