Definitions

nǎng to fend off; to stab

Etymology phono-semantic

hand

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 攮 is a phono-semantic compound with the semantic radical 扌 (hand), indicating a manual action, and the phonetic component 囊, which provides its sound. Its core meaning is a forceful physical act, such as stabbing, thrusting, or pushing forward with a tool or weapon. This aggressive connotation often places it in colloquial or vivid descriptions involving fighting, piercing, or shoving something into a tight space. The structure reflects the meaning: the hand radical denotes the physical exertion required for the stabbing or thrusting motion.