Definitions

yǐng (adjective) clever; gifted; outstanding
yǐng (noun) tip; point; head of grain

Etymology phono-semantic

rice

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "颖", traditionally written as "穎", structurally integrates the semantic component "禾" representing grain and the component "頁" denoting head, which collectively point to its original meaning of the sharp tip or awn of a cereal plant. This concrete agricultural term gradually extended to describe any pointed object, and through metaphorical application, it evolved to signify intellectual sharpness or outstanding ability, thus transitioning from a physical attribute to an abstract quality denoting human talent.

Etymology Hide

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

Example Sentences Hide

她的想法很新

Tā de xiǎngfǎ hěn xīnyǐng.

Her ideas are very novel.

小明是个聪的孩子。

Xiǎo Míng shì gè cōngyǐng de háizi.

Xiao Ming is a clever child.

是我的好朋友。

Zhāng Yǐng shì wǒ de hǎo péngyou.

Zhang Ying is my good friend.

这款手机的功能很新

Zhè kuǎn shǒujī de gōngnéng hěn xīnyǐng.

The functions of this mobile phone are very novel.

悟地解决了问题。

Tā yǐngwù de jiějué le wèntí.

He cleverly solved the problem.

她的慧给老师留下了深刻印象。

Tā de yǐnghuì gěi lǎoshī liú xià le shēnkè yìnxiàng.

Her intelligence left a deep impression on the teacher.

这个新的方案获得了大家的一致好评。

Zhège xīnyǐng de fāng'àn huòdé le dàjiā de yīzhì hǎopíng.

This novel plan received unanimous praise from everyone.

在众多设计中,他的作品以新独特而备受关注。

Zài zhòngduō shèjì zhōng, tā de zuòpǐn yǐ xīnyǐng dútè ér bèi shòu guānzhù.

Among many designs, his work has attracted much attention for being novel and unique.