Definitions

yǐng (noun) shadow; reflection
yǐng (noun) image; picture; photograph
yǐng (noun) movie; film

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. The component depicts shadow lines.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "影", meaning shadow, reflection, or image, originates from a conceptual and graphic elaboration on the earlier character "景", which initially encapsulated the ideas of both sunlight and the shadows it casts. To create a distinct graph for the shaded aspect, "彡" was added to "景"; this component often denotes decorative lines or patterns, here elegantly suggesting the diffused or trailing quality of light that defines a shadow's form. Thus, the traditional character structurally embodies sunlight ("日") atop a scenic height ("京"), modified by those radiating strokes to specify its visual echo. Its meaning solidified around the concrete phenomenon of a shadow or reflection, later extending metaphorically to encompass any faint trace, vague semblance, or cinematic image, while its core graphical composition has remained consistent.

Example Sentences Hide

我喜欢看电

Wǒ xǐhuān kàn diànyǐng.

I like watching movies.

子在阳光下很长。

Yǐngzi zài yángguāng xià hěn cháng.

The shadow is very long in the sunlight.

这部电响深远。

Zhè bù diànyǐng yǐngxiǎng shēnyuǎn.

This movie has a profound influence.

他学习摄技术。

Tā xuéxí shèyǐng jìshù.

He studies photography techniques.

像显示得很清楚。

Yǐngxiàng xiǎnshì de hěn qīngchǔ.

The image is displayed very clearly.

她的背让我难忘。

Tā de bèiyǐng ràng wǒ nánwàng.

Her back view is unforgettable to me.

评分析了电主题。

Yǐngpíng fēnxī le diànyǐng zhǔtí.

The film review analyzed the movie's theme.

我们在院看了场电

Wǒmen zài yǐngyuàn kàn le chǎng diànyǐng.

We watched a movie at the cinema.