About
The character 阎 simplifies from its traditional form 閻, a phono-semantic compound with the gate radical 門 (mén) surrounding the phonetic component 臽 (xiàn). Its simplified version uses the gate radical 门 (mén) on the outside, with the inner component reduced to a form resembling ⺈ over 臼. The gate radical originally indicated a semantic connection to the main entrance or defensive gates of a village or walled alley. Over time, its primary use shifted from this architectural meaning to become a formal Chinese surname. The character also holds significant meaning in traditional mythology and Buddhist cosmology, where it transcribes the name of Yama, the fierce ruler and judge of the underworld.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
阎王很可怕。
我的朋友姓阎。
阎先生是老师。
这个故事里有阎罗。
阎王爷掌管地狱。
阎姓在中国很常见。
传说阎罗王审判死人。
在佛教中，阎魔是地狱之主。