寅

yín

一 + 八 + 宀 + 由

Definitions

yín 3rd earthly branch: 3-5 a.m., 1st solar month (4th February-5th March), year of the Tiger; ancient Chinese compass point: 60°

Etymology

Originally written the same as 矢 (arrow). Later two hands (𦥑) were added to distinguish the characters.

About

寅 (yín) is the third of the twelve Earthly Branches, a traditional system for calendars, timekeeping, and directional orientation. It is associated with the Tiger in the Chinese zodiac, the two-hour period from 3 to 5 AM, and the east-northeast compass point. In modern writing, 寅 combines the roof radical 宀 (mián) with the lower elements 一, 由, and 八. Etymologically, the character first appeared identical to 矢 (arrow); later, two hands (𦥑) were added to distinguish it. This ancient form subsequently developed into the current structure, with the hands no longer visible.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

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Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

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 Shang dynasty (~1100 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Mid Warring States (~300 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Warring States (475-221 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 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

现在是寅时，天还没亮。

Xiànzài shì yín shí, tiān hái méi liàng.

It is now the period of the Tiger (3-5 am), and the sky is not yet bright.

据说他是寅年出生的。

Jùshuō tā shì yín nián chūshēng de.

It is said he was born in a Year of the Tiger.

爷爷在寅时就起床锻炼了。

Yéye zài yín shí jiù qǐchuáng duànliàn le.

Grandpa gets up to exercise as early as the period of the Tiger (3-5 am).

古代用天干地支纪年，今年是寅年。

Gǔdài yòng tiāngān dìzhī jìnián, jīnnián shì yín nián.

Ancient China used the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches to mark years, and this year is a yín (Tiger) year.

这位将军姓寅，是一个罕见的姓氏。

Zhè wèi jiāngjūn xìng Yín, shì yí gè hǎnjiàn de xìngshì.

This general's surname is Yin, which is a rare surname.

在十二生肖中，寅对应的是老虎。

Zài shí'èr shēngxiào zhōng, yín duìyìng de shì lǎohǔ.

In the Chinese zodiac, the branch "yín" corresponds to the tiger.

根据农历，下一个寅年将在几年后到来。

Gēnjù nónglì, xià yí gè yín nián jiāng zài jǐ nián hòu dàolái.

According to the lunar calendar, the next Year of the Tiger will arrive in a few years.

地支中的寅与方位中的东北偏东相关联。

Dìzhī zhōng de yín yǔ fāngwèi zhōng de dōngběi piān dōng xiāngguānlián.

The Earthly Branch "Yin" is associated with the east-northeast direction.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 一

Component: 八

Component: 宀

Component: 由

Example Words