Definitions

(literary) to produce; to foster; to nurture

Etymology

Depicts a woman () giving birth to a baby with amniotic fluid (). Original form of .

Semantic:

About

The character 毓 is a specialized variant of 育, embodying the concepts of childbirth, rearing, and nourishment. Its left component resembles 每, historically linked to a mother or woman bearing children, which grounds it in the semantic field of maternal care. The right side depicts an inverted child emerging, capturing the moment of birth and the flow of amniotic fluid. Over time, this literal representation of birth and early nursing expanded metaphorically to include educating the young, cultivating talent, and fostering natural growth in an environment.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Shang dynasty (~1100 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

是我的朋友。

Lǐ Yù shì wǒ de péngyou.

Li Yu is my friend.

学校注重德教育。

Xuéxiào zhùzhòng yù dé jiàoyù.

The school emphasizes moral nurturing education.

这片森林养了许多动物。

Zhè piàn sēnlín yù yǎng le xǔduō dòngwù.

This forest has nurtured many animals.

我们学校致力于养优秀学生。

Wǒmen xuéxiào zhìlì yú yù yǎng yōuxiù xuéshēng.

Our school is committed to nurturing outstanding students.

通过阅读我们可以养自己的心灵。

Tōngguò yuèdú wǒmen kěyǐ yù yǎng zìjǐ de xīnlíng.

Through reading, we can nurture our own minds.

文化传承养了民族精神。

Wénhuà chuánchéng yù yǎng le mínzú jīngshén.

Cultural heritage nurtures the national spirit.

在老师的精心育下学生们都取得了进步。

Zài lǎoshī de jīngxīn yù yù xià xuéshēngmen dōu qǔdé le jìnbù.

Under the teacher's careful nurturing, all the students have made progress.

社会应当为青少年提供养创造力的环境。

Shèhuì yīngdāng wèi qīngshàonián tígōng yù yǎng chuàngzàolì de huánjìng.

Society should provide an environment that nurtures creativity for young people.