Definitions

Mǐn (noun) short name for Fujian province

Etymology

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

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 闽, with its traditional form 閩, originates from an ancient term for peoples inhabiting the southeastern coastal area of China, its composition integrating the radical 虫, denoting insects or reptiles, within the component 门 (門 in its traditional shape) meaning gate, a structure metaphorically implying a region enclosed or defined by its association with serpent symbolism prevalent in local folklore. Initially applied as an ethnic designation for communities linked to reptilian totems, the character's meaning gradually concentrated on the geographical territory these groups occupied, evolving to become the definitive shorthand for Fujian province. This semantic specialization was solidified through historical texts and administrative usage, while the modern simplified form preserves the essential conceptual framework of its predecessor through a reduced graphical configuration.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

菜很好吃。

Mǐn cài hěn hǎo chī.

Min cuisine is very delicious.

南语很难学。

Mǐnnán yǔ hěn nán xué.

The Southern Min language is very difficult to learn.

福建省简称

Fújiàn shěng jiǎnchēng Mǐn.

Fujian Province is abbreviated as Min.

江是福建的河流。

Mǐn jiāng shì Fújiàn de héliú.

The Min River is a river in Fujian.

商在中国很有名。

Mǐn shāng zài Zhōngguó hěn yǒumíng.

Min merchants are very famous in China.

北山区风景优美。

Mǐn běi shānqū fēngjǐng yōuměi.

The mountainous area of northern Fujian has beautiful scenery.

台文化有深厚渊源。

Mǐn Tái wénhuà yǒu shēnhòu yuānyuán.

Min and Taiwanese cultures have deep historical connections.

学是宋代福建的理学流派。

Mǐn xué shì Sòng dài Fújiàn de lǐxué liúpài.

Min Xue is a school of Neo-Confucianism from Fujian during the Song Dynasty.