About
The character "销" evolved from its traditional form "銷", which integrates the metal radical "金" with the phonetic component "肖", initially denoting the melting or fusing of metals. This concrete sense of liquefaction extended metaphorically to concepts of dissipation and removal, such as canceling or erasing, where something is made to vanish. Over time, its semantic range broadened to include commercial activities like selling, where goods are transferred and thus diminish from inventory, and further to general consumption or expenditure. The structural simplification of the metal radical did not obscure the enduring etymological link to metallic transformation, which continues to inform the character's layered meanings.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
这本书销售得很好。
公司撤销了那个决定。
我可以报销这些费用。
新产品需要大力推销。
他试图销毁犯罪证据。
这批货物已经滞销很久了。
那家公司因经营不善而销声匿迹了。
多年的挫折使他的热情逐渐销蚀。