About
The character "吹" finds its origins in a compositional logic that directly illustrates its meaning, formed by the mouth radical (口) paired with the component 欠, which initially depicted a figure with an open mouth to represent breath or exhalation. This structure has consistently conveyed the core idea of blowing air from the mouth since its inception, with the element 欠 retaining its respiratory association within this compound even as its independent meaning shifted toward notions of deficiency. Over time, the semantic application of "吹" expanded beyond the literal physical act to encompass related activities such as sounding wind instruments and, metaphorically, to describe verbal actions like flattering or boasting, which carry the same sense of projecting something insubstantial. Thus, while its fundamental representation of blowing has remained stable, the character's usage has broadened to reflect both concrete and abstract extensions of its original concept.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
风把叶子吹走了。
他喜欢吹口琴。
别吹电扇，小心感冒。
我吹灭了生日蜡烛。
孩子们在草地上吹泡泡。
他经常吹嘘自己的经历。
秋风把云彩吹散了。
这个消息很快就被吹得神乎其神。