About
Etymologically, the character for bait, traditionally composed as 餌 with the food radical 食 and the phonetic marker 耳, began by signifying edible cakes or provisions before specializing to denote material used to lure fish or game. Its construction as a phono-semantic compound inherently links it to nourishment, while the shift in meaning over time incorporated abstract notions of allure and temptation, reflecting how linguistic adaptations mirror practical applications. The enduring presence of the food element in its orthography maintains a tangible connection to its original semantic field, even as the term's usage broadened to encompass metaphorical enticements beyond physical bait.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
用鱼饵来钓鱼。
这个鱼饵很香。
他在鱼钩上挂好饵。
商人用优惠作饵。
不要轻信骗子的诱饵。
这款新产品是市场的香饵。
投资高回报往往是陷阱的饵。
他的承诺不过是政治权谋的饵料。