Definitions

yōng (verb) to embrace; to hold
yōng (verb) to gather around; to throng; to swarm
yōng (verb) to support

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Simplified form of .

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "拥" is the modern simplified form of the traditional character "擁", and its structure provides a clear clue to its core meaning, which centers around the concept of holding or gathering. The traditional form "擁" is composed of the hand radical (扌) on the left, denoting an action performed with the hand, combined with the component "雍" on the right, which historically suggested a sense of obstruction or crowding together. This combination originally conveyed physical acts such as embracing, holding, or clustering around. Over time, while retaining these concrete meanings, the character’s usage expanded into more abstract and figurative territory, coming to signify notions of support, possession, or having something in ample supply, as seen in terms for endorsing an idea or holding power. The simplified form "拥" replaced the complex phonetic component "雍" with the simpler and more common "用", streamlining the character while maintaining its essential connection to action through the persistent hand radical.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Cao Wei (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

有一个幸福的家庭。

wǒ yōngyǒu yīgè xìngfú de jiātíng.

I have a happy family.

抱了她的朋友。

tā yōngbàole tā de péngyǒu.

She hugged her friend.

街上挤不堪。

jiē shàng yōngjǐ bùkān.

The street is extremely crowded.

人民护自己的领袖。

rénmín yōnghù zìjǐ de lǐngxiù.

The people support their leader.

他深受群众戴。

tā shēn shòu qúnzhòng yōngdài.

He is deeply supported by the masses.

这座城市有悠久的历史。

zhè zuò chéngshì yōngyǒu yōujiǔ de lìshǐ.

This city has a long history.

挤的地铁里,他紧紧抱着公文包。

zài yōngjǐ de dìtiě lǐ, tā jǐn jǐn yōngbàozhe gōngwén bāo.

In the crowded subway, he tightly hugged his briefcase.

尽管资源有限,他们仍有关键技术的专利权。

jǐnguǎn zīyuán yǒuxiàn, tāmen réng yōngyǒu guānjiàn jìshù de zhuānlì quán.

Despite limited resources, they still hold the patent for key technology.