Definitions
(noun)
center; middle
(verb)
to beg; to plead
Etymology
Pictograph of a person (大) with a cangue (torture device for punishing criminals) around his neck. People wearing such devices were not able to reach their mouth with their own hands, and were forced to beg for food.
About
The character 央 originated from an ideographic composition portraying a figure within a bounded space, thus embodying the concept of being central. Its structure integrates the component 大, symbolizing a person, within a frame that indicates a surrounding area, solidifying its association with the middle. From this core notion of centrality, the character's meaning broadened over time to encompass the idea of reaching a midpoint or conclusion, evident in classical usage such as the phrase 夜未央 referring to the night not yet being at its end. In modern Chinese, 央 retains its primary sense of 'center' as seen in 中央, while also appearing in constructions like 央求 where it denotes earnest entreaty, reflecting an extended semantic layer derived from its foundational imagery.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
公园在城市的中央。
我经常看央视新闻。
他央求妈妈让他出去玩。
央行宣布了新的政策。
中央政府的决定很重要。
他央告朋友帮助他。
她央求老师再给她一次机会。
中央气象台发布了台风预警。