Definitions

kǎn see 赤嵌樓|赤嵌楼[chì kǎn lóu]
qiàn to inlay; to embed; Taiwan pr. [qiān]

Etymology phono-semantic

mountain

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 嵌 is a phono-semantic compound. Its mountain radical 山 provides the semantic category, connecting it to geographical features like ravines or caves. The right component 欠 contributes both the phonetic value and a visual hint of an opening or cavity. Originally, the character described deep, hollowed-out spaces in cliffs or rocks. Over time, its meaning broadened from this specific geographic sense to the general physical action of fitting one thing into another. Today, 嵌 primarily means to inlay, embed, or wedge a smaller object, such as a gem, into a corresponding depression in a larger surface.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

戒指上镶了钻石。

Jièzhǐ shàng xiāngqiàn le zuànshí.

The ring is inlaid with diamonds.

这幅画镶在镜框里。

Zhè fú huà xiāngqiàn zài jìngkuàng lǐ.

This painting is embedded in the picture frame.

他把宝石入戒指中。

Tā bǎ bǎoshí qiànrù jièzhǐ zhōng.

He embedded the gemstone into the ring.

窗户上镶着彩色玻璃。

Chuānghu shàng xiāngqiàn zhe cǎisè bōli.

Colored glass is inlaid in the window.

这座雕像的眼睛镶着蓝宝石。

Zhè zuò diāoxiàng de yǎnjīng xiāngqiàn zhe lán bǎoshí.

The eyes of this statue are inlaid with sapphires.

软件中入了防盗版系统。

Ruǎnjiàn zhōng qiànrù le fáng dàobǎn xìtǒng.

An anti-piracy system is embedded in the software.

他的记忆里入了童年的片段。

Tā de jìyì lǐ qiànrù le tóngnián de piànduàn.

Fragments of childhood are embedded in his memory.

微观结构中合着多种纳米材料。

Wēiguān jiégòu zhōng qiànhé zhe duō zhǒng nàmǐ cáiliào.

Multiple nanomaterials are fitted together in the microstructure.