Definitions

xiǎng (verb) to make a sound; to sound; to ring
xiǎng (noun) echo; sound; noise
xiǎng (adjective) loud

Etymology

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

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The simplified character 响 evolved from the traditional form 響, streamlining a complex phono-semantic compound while preserving its core meaning of sound or echo. In 響, the phonetic component 鄉 (xiāng) sits above the semantic radical 音 (yīn), meaning sound, which clearly signals the character’s acoustic sense. The simplified version replaces 音 with the mouth radical 口 on the left, paired with 向 (xiàng) as the new phonetic element on the right. These changes significantly reduce stroke count for easier writing, yet the character continues to denote acoustic phenomena. Its sense has broadened from specifically meaning an echo to generally describing anything loud, resounding, or producing a noticeable noise.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他的手机了。

Tā de shǒujī xiǎng le.

His mobile phone rang.

门铃突然了。

Ménlíng tūrán xiǎng le.

The doorbell suddenly rang.

他的声音很亮。

Tā de shēngyīn hěn xiǎngliàng.

His voice is very loud and clear.

教堂的钟声起。

Jiàotáng de zhōngshēng xiǎngqǐ.

The church bell rang out.

当电话起时,我正在做饭。

Dāng diànhuà xiǎngqǐ shí, wǒ zhèngzài zuòfàn.

When the phone rang, I was cooking.

他的建议引起了很大反

Tā de jiànyì yǐnqǐ le hěn dà fǎnxiǎng.

His suggestion caused a great response.

爆炸声彻山谷。

Bàozhà shēng xiǎngchè shāngǔ.

The sound of the explosion resounded through the valley.

这项政策在社会上产生了广泛的影

Zhè xiàng zhèngcè zài shèhuì shàng chǎnshēng le guǎngfàn de yǐngxiǎng.

This policy has had a widespread impact on society.