帘

簾

lián

巾 + 穴

Definitions

lián (noun) curtain; hanging screen

Etymology

Simplified form of 簾. Depicts a type of cloth (巾) that is used for hanging on an opening (穴).

About

The traditional form 簾 is a phono-semantic compound with the bamboo radical 竹 (zhú) atop the phonetic component 廉 (lián), indicating the original material for hanging window shades and room dividers: thin bamboo strips. The simplified form 帘 derives from an older character composed of the cave radical 穴 (xué) over the cloth radical 巾 (jīn). This earlier character referred to a tavern flag or shop banner hung outside to attract customers. Through semantic merger, this structure now represents any curtain, screen, or fabric covering for windows and doorways.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

窗帘是蓝色的。

Chuāng lián shì lán sè de.

The curtain is blue.

妈妈把门帘洗干净了。

Māmā bǎ mén lián xǐ gānjìng le.

Mom washed the door curtain clean.

她轻轻拉开了丝绸窗帘。

Tā qīng qīng lā kāi le sīchóu chuānglián.

She gently pulled open the silk curtain.

夏日午后，竹帘带来一丝清凉。

Xiàrì wǔhòu, zhú lián dài lái yī sī qīngliáng.

On a summer afternoon, the bamboo curtain brings a touch of coolness.

商店的橱窗挂着华丽的珠帘。

Shāngdiàn de chúchuāng guà zhe huálì de zhū lián.

The shop window is hung with a gorgeous beaded curtain.

瀑布像一道巨大的水帘悬挂在山前。

Pùbù xiàng yī dào jùdà de shuǐ lián xuánguà zài shān qián.

The waterfall hangs before the mountain like a giant water curtain.

手术室的门上方，红灯亮起，帘子随后被拉上。

Shǒushùshì de mén shàngfāng, hóngdēng liàng qǐ, liánzi suíhòu bèi lā shàng.

Above the operating room door, the red light turned on, and the curtain was then drawn.

透过咖啡馆的玻璃和薄纱帘，街景变得朦胧而温馨。

Tòuguò kāfēi guǎn de bōli hé báoshā lián, jiējǐng biàn de ménglóng ér wēnxīn.

Through the cafe's glass and sheer curtain, the street view became hazy and cozy.

Related Characters

Component: 巾

Component: 穴

帘