About
The character 喂, which has maintained the same structure in both traditional and simplified systems, originally existed primarily as an onomatopoeic interjection derived from the sound of a shout. Its composition combines the radical 口 (mouth), indicating a function related to speech or sound, with the component 畏, which historically conveyed a sense of fear or awe but here serves primarily a phonetic function. Over time, this character’s usage solidified around its role in vocal expression, specifically as a call to attract attention or a prompt for a response, moving away from any literal connection to its phonetic component’s meaning. This evolution reflects a common pattern where characters are constructed for their sound value in representing spoken exclamations, with the meaning becoming entirely defined by that spoken function rather than the semantic sum of its parts.
Example Sentences Hide
喂，你好，请问是谁？
喂，你等一下，我马上就来。
你喂过阳台上的小鸟了吗？
他正在给动物园的老虎喂食。
妈妈打电话来时，我总是先说“喂”。
这位护士很有耐心地喂病人吃药。
喂养宠物需要承担很多责任。
听到有人喊“喂”，他疑惑地转过头。