昵

暱

nì

尼 + 日

Frequency#4088

Definitions

nì variant of 暱|昵[nì]

nì familiar; intimate; to approach

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 日 represents the meaning and 尼 represents the sound. Simplified form of 暱.

Semantic: 日 Phonetic: 尼

About

The traditional character 暱 incorporates the semantic component 日 (sun) and the phonetic component 匿 (to hide), constructing a word that initially conveyed intimacy or close association. In its simplified form 昵, the element 匿 is replaced by 尼, which offers a phonetic resemblance and contributes a sense of proximity. While the character's fundamental meaning of affectionate familiarity has remained central, its application expanded over time to form compounds like 昵称 (nickname), reflecting a sustained focus on personal closeness.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我的昵称是小明。

Wǒ de nìchēng shì Xiǎo Míng.

My nickname is Xiao Ming.

她亲切地叫我的昵称。

Tā qīnqiè de jiào wǒ de nìchēng.

She affectionately calls me by my nickname.

网友之间常用昵称交流。

Wǎngyǒu zhī jiān cháng yòng nìchēng jiāoliú.

Netizens often communicate using nicknames.

他的语气突然变得很亲昵。

Tā de yǔqì túrán biàn dé hěn qīnnì.

His tone suddenly became very intimate.

小狗亲昵地蹭着主人的腿。

Xiǎo gǒu qīnnì de cèng zhe zhǔrén de tuǐ.

The puppy affectionately rubbed against its owner's leg.

不要和刚认识的人过分亲昵。

Bùyào hé gāng rènshi de rén guòfèn qīnnì.

Don't be overly intimate with someone you just met.

他们那种昵狎的态度令人不适。

Tāmen nà zhǒng nìxiá de tàidù lìng rén bùshì.

Their overly familiar and frivolous attitude is uncomfortable.

从昵称就能看出他们的关系匪浅。

Cóng nìchēng jiù néng kàn chū tāmen de guānxì fēi qiǎn.

From their nicknames for each other, you can tell they have a deep relationship.

Related Characters

Component: 尼

Component: 日

昵