Definitions

màn (adjective) slow
màn (adjective) gradual; unhurried

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 慢 is a phono-semantic compound with the vertical heart radical 忄 on the left, signaling its connection to psychological states or emotions. The right side provides the phonetic component 曼 (màn), which also suggests a semantic notion of extension or prolongation. Originally, 慢 described a dismissive or haughty inner attitude, a lack of proper respect or urgency. This sense of a lackadaisical disposition naturally evolved into a description of physical sluggishness, leading to its primary modern meaning: slowness of movement, low speed, or delay in completing an action.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Jin dynasty (266-316 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

点走。

Qǐng màn diǎn zǒu.

Please walk a bit slower.

他说话速度很

Tā shuōhuà sùdù hěn màn.

He speaks very slowly.

这辆火车比较

Zhè liàng huǒchē bǐjiào màn.

This train is relatively slow.

我爷爷做事总是很

Wǒ yéye zuòshì zǒng shì hěn màn.

My grandfather always does things very slowly.

别着急,来。

Bié zháojí, mànmàn lái.

Don't rush, take your time.

他是个性子的人。

Tā shì gè màn xìngzi de rén.

He is a person with a slow temperament.

习惯了这里的生活。

Wǒ mànmàn xíguànle zhèlǐ de shēnghuó.

I gradually got used to the life here.

享受这种变化的过程吧。

Xiǎngshòu zhè zhǒng mànmàn biànhuà de guòchéng ba.

Enjoy this process of slow change.