Definitions
Etymology phono-semantic
frog
About
The character 鼍 (traditional form 鼉) denotes the Chinese alligator, a crocodilian native to the Yangtze River basin. Its traditional form uses the radical 黽 (amphibian/reptile) at the bottom, placing it within the semantic category of aquatic creatures and frogs. The upper portion, 單 (dān), provides the phonetic element. The simplified version reduces stroke complexity by adopting the radical 黾 and replacing the phonetic component with 单. In classical texts, the skin of this alligator was notably cited as the primary material for stretching the heads of large ceremonial drums.
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