Definitions

hán (verb) to contain; to include
hán (verb) to keep in mouth; to suck

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "含" is structurally composed of the phonetic component "今" (jīn) placed above the semantic component "口" (kǒu), meaning 'mouth', a configuration that directly informs its core meaning. Its earliest sense was the literal action of holding something within the mouth without swallowing. From this concrete physical act, its meaning broadened to encompass more abstract notions of containment, such as holding back or restraining, as in suppressing tears, and further extended to signify something being included within a larger whole, as in the meaning of 'to contain'. This conceptual expansion from a specific physical action to general inclusion and implicit possession represents the primary shift in the application of the character over time.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 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)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Cao Wei (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这颗糖不酒精。

Zhè kē táng bù hán jiǔjīng.

This candy contains no alcohol.

水果里有丰富的维生素。

Shuǐguǒ lǐ hányǒu fēngfù de wéishēngsù.

Fruits contain abundant vitamins.

她说话时眼中着泪水。

Tā shuōhuà shí yǎn zhōng hán zhe lèishuǐ.

Her eyes held tears as she spoke.

这种材料具有很好的水性。

Zhè zhǒng cáiliào jùyǒu hěn hǎo de hán shuǐ xìng.

This material has excellent water retention.

蓄地表达了自己的意见。

Tā hánxù de biǎodále zìjǐ de yìjiàn.

He expressed his opinion in an implicit manner.

这个方案包了大家的所有建议。

Zhège fāng'àn bāohánle dàjiā de suǒyǒu jiànyì.

This plan incorporates everyone's suggestions.

我们需要分析这段文字的隐意义。

Wǒmen xūyào fēnxī zhè duàn wénzì de yǐnhán yìyì.

We need to analyze the implied meaning of this passage.

土壤的养分量直接影响作物生长。

Tǔrǎng de yǎngfèn hánliàng zhíjiē yǐngxiǎng zuòwù shēngzhǎng.

The nutrient content of the soil directly affects crop growth.