Definitions

yìn (verb) to print; to mark; to stamp
yìn (noun) seal; stamp; print; mark

Etymology

Pictograph of a kneeling person () being held down by a hand (). Based on the original meaning "restrain", now written as . The meaning later shifted to "push down", "stamp", and "print".

About

The character "印" derives from an early pictograph depicting a hand pressing upon a kneeling figure, conveying the action of creating a seal or stamp. Its structural composition combines the component "㔾", a variant form of "卩" representing a kneeling person, with "㇒", derived from "爪" symbolizing a hand, directly illustrating this act of imposition. Originally denoting the physical motion of pressing down, the term's application shifted to name the object used for such an action, specifically a seal or official stamp, and subsequently broadened to indicate the result of that action, namely an imprint, impression, or printed mark.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Spring and Autumn (~700 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
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 Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Cao Wei (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这是我的章。

Zhè shì wǒ de yìnzhāng.

This is my seal.

他在刷书籍。

Tā zài yìnshuā shūjí.

He is printing books.

我对她象很好。

Wǒ duì tā yìnxiàng hěn hǎo.

I have a good impression of her.

度是一个大国。

Yìndù shì yī gè dà guó.

India is a big country.

请复这份文件。

Qǐng fùyìn zhè fèn wénjiàn.

Please copy this document.

雪地上有动物的脚

Xuědì shàng yǒu dòngwù de jiǎoyìn.

There are animal footprints on the snow.

这家工厂专门染布料。

Zhè jiā gōngchǎng zhuānmén yìnrǎn bùliào.

This factory specializes in printing and dyeing fabric.

他的作品留下了深刻的历史记。

Tā de zuòpǐn liú xiàle shēnkè de lìshǐ yìnjì.

His works left a deep historical imprint.