Definitions

hēng prosperous; henry (unit of inductance)

Etymology

About

The character "亨" derives from an early pictograph representing a ritual vessel or altar, linking it etymologically to concepts of offering and reception, and sharing a common ancestral form with related characters like "享" and "烹". Its structure, now composed of the radical "亠" over "了", evolved from a depiction of that ceremonial object, and over centuries its primary meaning shifted from the tangible context of sacrifices to the abstract notion of smoothness and successful progression, as embedded in terms such as "亨通". This semantic transition from a concrete ritual item to an emblem of unobstructed success reflects the character's adaptation within the language while its written form has remained largely consistent.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Shang dynasty (~1100 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Warring States (~300 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Warring States (~400 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
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)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他的生意一直通。

Tā de shēngyì yīzhí hēngtōng.

His business has always been prosperous.

利是我的朋友。

Hēnglì shì wǒ de péngyou.

Henry is my friend.

那位大非常有钱。

Nà wèi dàhēng fēicháng yǒu qián.

That tycoon is very rich.

公司的发展通顺利。

Gōngsī de fāzhǎn hēngtōng shùnlì.

The company's development is smooth and successful.

利率领团队取得了成功。

Hēnglì shuàilǐng tuánduì qǔdé le chénggōng.

Henry led the team to success.

只有努力才能让事业通。

Zhǐyǒu nǔlì cáinéng ràng shìyè hēngtōng.

Only through hard work can one make a career prosperous.

尽管遇到困难,他的生意依然通。

Jǐnguǎn yù dào kùnnán, tā de shēngyì yīrán hēngtōng.

Despite encountering difficulties, his business is still prosperous.

利的积极影响下,当地商业环境日益通。

Zài Hēnglì de jījí yǐngxiǎng xià, dāngdì shāngyè huánjìng rìyì hēngtōng.

Under Henry's positive influence, the local business environment is becoming increasingly prosperous.