Definitions

jǐng (noun) neck

Etymology

Simplfied form of . Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and 𢀖 represents the sound.

Semantic:

About

The character for "neck", traditionally written as "頸", is structurally composed of the semantic component "頁", which originally signified the head, combined with the phonetic component "巠" to guide pronunciation, thereby anchoring its meaning to the physical region connecting head and body. Over centuries, its primary denotation has persisted, while the character has also been incorporated into compound terms that extend its sense metaphorically, as seen in "瓶颈" or bottleneck, indicating a point of constriction. The simplified form "颈" maintains the semantic "页" but alters the phonetic element to "圣", a modification that streamlines the character while preserving its essential link to the original concept and function.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Spring and Autumn (771-476 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 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

我的脖子有点酸。

wǒ de bó zi yǒu diǎn suān.

My neck is a bit sore.

他扭伤了部。

tā niǔ shāng le jǐng bù.

He sprained his neck.

她用围巾裹住

tā yòng wéi jīn guǒ zhù jǐng.

She wrapped a scarf around her neck.

鹿的脖子非常长。

cháng jǐng lù de bó zi fēi cháng cháng.

A giraffe's neck is very long.

这种姿势对椎不好。

zhè zhǒng zī shì duì jǐng zhuī bù hǎo.

This posture is bad for the cervical spine.

天鹅有着优雅修长的项。

tiān é yǒu zhe yōu yǎ xiū cháng de jǐng xiàng.

Swans have elegant and slender necks.

医生建议我做部按摩。

yī shēng jiàn yì wǒ zuò jǐng bù àn mó.

The doctor suggested I get a neck massage.

那条项链完美衬托出她的部线条。

nà tiáo xiàng liàn wán měi chèn tuō chū tā de jǐng bù xiàn tiáo.

That necklace perfectly accentuates the lines of her neck.