About
The character 歆 is a phono-semantic compound formed by the semantic radical 欠, which relates to breathing or mouth actions, and the phonetic component 音, meaning sound. Its original sense referred to gods or spirits accepting the fragrance of sacrificial offerings, implying a spiritual inhalation. This meaning later extended from the religious context to general human emotions, coming to denote liking, pleasure, or admiration, as seen in words expressing envy.
Etymology Hide
