Definitions

wēn (adjective) warm; lukewarm
wēn (noun) temperature
wēn (verb) to warm up
wēn (adjective) mild; gentle
wēn (verb) to review (lessons)

Etymology

Simplified form of . Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and 𥁕 represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "温" originates from its traditional form "溫", which combines the water radical "氵" with the component "昷", the latter historically associated with warmth and serving as a phonetic element. Initially denoting lukewarm water or a moderate physical temperature, the term gradually expanded to describe mild climatic conditions and, through metaphorical extension, came to represent gentle personal qualities such as a kind demeanor or a placid nature. This semantic shift from concrete to abstract allowed the character to apply to diverse contexts, including the revisiting of knowledge in classical expressions like "温故知新", while its structural components persistently reference its foundational concepts of liquid and warmth, anchoring its evolved meanings to their etymological origins.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical 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)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

天气很暖。

Tiānqì hěn wēnnuǎn.

The weather is very warm.

水对身体好。

Wēn shuǐ duì shēntǐ hǎo.

Warm water is good for the body.

他性格和。

Tā xìnggé wēnhé.

He has a gentle personality.

请保持室内度。

Qǐng bǎochí shìnèi wēndù.

Please maintain the indoor temperature.

了一杯牛奶。

Tā wēn le yī bēi niúnǎi.

She warmed a glass of milk.

我们正在习功课。

Wǒmen zhèngzài wēnxí gōngkè.

We are reviewing our lessons.

这种材料耐高

Zhè zhǒng cáiliào nài gāo wēn.

This material is resistant to high temperatures.

和的气候有利于农作物生长。

Wēnhé de qìhòu yǒulì yú nóngzuòwù shēngzhǎng.

A mild climate is beneficial for crop growth.