Definitions

xuàn to dazzle; to boast; to show off; (slang) cool; awesome

Etymology phono-semantic

fire

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "炫" is structured with the fire radical (火) on the left, indicating its fundamental association with light and illumination, and the component "玄" on the right, which historically provided phonetic guidance while also contributing a sense of profound or dark mystery. Its original meaning centered on the intense, dazzling quality of light, such as the glare from a flame or the lustrous sheen of jade. Over time, this core concept of visually overpowering brightness extended metaphorically into the social and behavioral realm, giving rise to the prevalent modern meaning of an overt and conspicuous display aimed at attracting admiration, thus shifting from a description of pure physical light to one of deliberate personal showcasing.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他的新车很

Tā de xīn chē hěn xuàn.

His new car is very flashy.

别总耀你的成绩。

Bié zǒng xuànyào nǐ de chéngjì.

Don't always show off your grades.

灯光效果非常目。

Dēngguāng xiàoguǒ fēichāng xuànmù.

The lighting effects are extremely dazzling.

他喜欢技,但不实用。

Tā xǐhuan xuànjì, dàn bù shíyòng.

He likes to show off his skills, but it's not practical.

这款游戏的特效太酷了。

Zhè kuǎn yóuxì de tèxiào tài xuànkù le.

The special effects in this game are too cool and dazzling.

她在社交媒体上富。

Tā zài shèjiāo méitǐ shàng xuànfù.

She flaunts her wealth on social media.

虚拟世界的色彩得让人晕眩。

Xūnǐ shìjiè de sècǎi xuàn dé ràng rén yūnxuàn.

The colors in the virtual world are so dazzling that they make people dizzy.

他用华丽的辞藻示,只为博取眼球。

Tā yòng huálì de cízǎo xuànshì, zhǐ wèi bóqǔ yǎnqiú.

He uses flowery language to show off, just to attract attention.