About
The character "油" is structured as a phono-semantic compound, combining the water radical to imply a liquid substance with the component "由" to indicate its sound. Its original meaning referred specifically to animal fats and greases, but over centuries, the term broadened to include plant-based oils, mineral oils, and other similar substances. This extension in meaning also allowed for metaphorical uses, such as characterizing someone as slick or overly smooth in behavior. Throughout its history, the character's form has maintained this composition, consistently linking its semantic and phonetic elements to its conceptual domain.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
妈妈用油炒菜。
汽车需要汽油。
我喜欢吃酱油面。
石油是一种重要资源。
油炸食品不健康。
润滑油减少机器摩擦。
植物油比动物油更健康。
油价上涨影响经济。