About
The character "炕" integrates the fire radical (火) on the left, directly signaling its association with heat, and the component "亢" on the right, which historically offers phonetic clues while also conveying notions of elevation or aridity, thus corresponding to the kang's raised and dry nature. Etymologically, the term initially described the act of drying or warming by fire, but its meaning gradually narrowed to refer specifically to the masonry bed heated from within, a staple in northern Chinese homes. This transition from a broad verbal concept to a precise noun illustrates how the character's significance evolved alongside domestic customs, with its structural form persisting consistently through centuries of written use.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我家的炕很暖和。
我喜欢坐在炕上读书。
奶奶在炕上铺了新褥子。
北方农村的冬天离不开火炕。
一家人围坐在炕上吃晚饭。
天气冷了，该把炕烧热了。
他跳上炕，钻进了温暖的被窝。
小时候，我们常在炕洞里烤红薯。