Definitions

shuān (noun) stopper; plug; bolt
shuān (verb) to bolt; to bar; to lock

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

Structurally composed of the wood radical 木 combined with the component 全, the character 栓 originally denoted wooden objects such as bolts or pegs designed for fastening and securing, reflecting its etymological roots in practical carpentry and hardware. Over time, its semantic range expanded beyond wooden implements to encompass various fastening devices made from other materials, including metal pins, plugs, and latches, while also acquiring specialized meanings in technical contexts such as medicine, where it refers to blockages like an embolism. This shift from a material-specific term to a broader functional concept illustrates how the character's meaning generalized over centuries, with the component 全 primarily serving a phonetic role rather than contributing directly to its semantic development.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

请把门好。

Qǐng bǎ mén shuān hǎo.

Please bolt the door properly.

他用绳子住了箱子。

Tā yòng shéngzi shuān zhù le xiāngzi.

He used a rope to tie up the box.

马车在街道旁边。

Mǎchē shuān zài jiēdào pángbiān.

The carriage is tied to the side of the street.

医生说他患有血

Yīshēng shuō tā huàn yǒu xuèshuān.

The doctor said he has a blood clot.

为了防止羊跑掉,牧民把羊在木桩上。

Wèile fángzhǐ yáng pǎo diào, mùmín bǎ yáng shuān zài mùzhuāng shàng.

To prevent the sheep from running away, the herdsman tied the sheep to a wooden stake.

工人用螺紧了零件。

Gōngrén yòng luóshuān shuān jǐn le língjiàn.

The worker tightened the parts with a bolt.

因为绳不结实,小狗差点挣脱了。

Yīnwèi shuān shéng bù jiēshi, xiǎo gǒu chàdiǎn zhèngtuō le.

Because the tying rope was not sturdy, the puppy almost broke free.

这种药物能有效溶解血管中的血

Zhè zhǒng yàowù néng yǒuxiào róngjiě xuèguǎn zhōng de xuèshuān.

This medication can effectively dissolve blood clots in blood vessels.