寒

hán

⺀ + 𡨄

Definitions

hán (adjective) cold; chilly

hán (adjective) poor; inadequate

hán (verb) to shiver; to tremble from cold

Etymology

Depicts a person (人) under a roof (宀) surrounding himself with grass bedding (茻) to try to stay warm in the cold weather. The 冫 (ice) component was added later.

About

寒 originally depicted a person (人) under a roof (宀) surrounding himself with grass bedding (茻) to try to stay warm in the cold, with the ice radical 冫 added later to underscore the freezing temperatures. This creates a vivid scene of someone huddled indoors using straw against the winter cold, giving the primary meaning "cold" or "wintry". From enduring harsh cold, the meaning extended to poverty, destitution, humility, and shivering fear or apprehension.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 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 Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这里很寒冷。

Zhèlǐ hěn hánlěng.

It is very cold here.

寒风吹过街道。

Hánfēng chuīguò jiēdào.

The cold wind blows through the street.

他感到一阵寒意。

Tā gǎndào yīzhèn hányì.

He felt a chill.

寒暑假我都回家。

Hán shǔ jià wǒ dōu huíjiā.

I go home during winter and summer vacations.

寒冬腊月特别冷。

Hándōng làyuè tèbié lěng.

The cold winter months are especially cold.

她的态度让我心寒。

Tā de tàidù ràng wǒ xīnhán.

Her attitude disheartened me.

经济寒冬影响就业。

Jīngjì hándōng yǐngxiǎng jiùyè.

The economic winter affects employment.

不畏严寒坚持锻炼。

Bù wèi yánhán jiānchí duànliàn.

Persist in exercising despite the severe cold.

Related Characters

Component: ⺀

Component: 𡨄

Example Words