案

àn

安 + 木

Definitions

àn (noun) case; file; record

àn (noun) table; desk; counter

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 木 represents the meaning and 安 represents the sound.

Semantic: 木 Phonetic: 安

About

The character 案 is a phono-semantic compound that originally referred to a wooden table or desk before its meaning expanded into legal and administrative contexts. It combines the wood radical 木, which indicates the material, and the phonetic 安 (ān). Historically, it denoted a long, narrow wooden table or desk used for serving food and for official writing. Since these desks were commonly used by magistrates and officials to review documents, the meaning extended to official records, legal cases, criminal files, and formal proposals.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

方案已经确定下来了。

Fāng'àn yǐjīng quèdìng xiàlái le.

The plan has been finalized.

警方正在调查这个案件。

Jǐngfāng zhèngzài diàochá zhège ànjiàn.

The police are investigating this case.

他把重要文件放在档案柜里。

Tā bǎ zhòngyào wénjiàn fàng zài dàng'ànguì lǐ.

He put the important documents in the filing cabinet.

这个案子由王律师负责处理。

Zhège ànzi yóu Wáng lǜshī fùzé chǔlǐ.

This case is being handled by Lawyer Wang.

我们需要一个更详细的提案。

Wǒmen xūyào yīgè gèng xiángxì de tí'àn.

We need a more detailed proposal.

他伏案工作了一整个下午。

Tā fú'àn gōngzuòle yī zhěnggè xiàwǔ.

He bent over his desk working the entire afternoon.

这件历史悬案终于真相大白。

Zhè jiàn lìshǐ xuán'àn zhōngyú zhēnxiàng dàbái.

The truth of this historical cold case has finally come to light.

该项目案卷保存了完整的决策记录。

Gāi xiàngmù ànjuàn bǎocúnle wánzhěng de juécè jìlù.

The project archives preserve a complete record of the decision-making.

Related Characters

Component: 安

Component: 木

案