About
The character "煎" is structured with the fire radical "火" at its base, indicating its fundamental connection to heat, while the component "前" above functions primarily as a phonetic indicator but also subtly suggests a forward or continuous action, aligning with the prolonged nature of its associated processes. Etymologically, it originally denoted the culinary techniques of frying in oil or simmering in water, specifically for preparing food or decocting herbal medicines, a concrete meaning that has remained consistently central to its use. Over time, this literal sense expanded into metaphorical domains within literary and colloquial contexts, where "煎" came to describe states of mental anguish or persistent torment, effectively abstracting the character's essence of gradual, consuming heat to convey psychological or emotional suffering. This semantic extension illustrates how the character's core concept of applied heat evolved to encompass both physical and abstract dimensions, while its primary culinary application has endured without significant alteration.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
妈妈在煎鸡蛋。
我喜欢吃煎鱼。
他用小火煎牛排。
煎饺子需要耐心。
奶奶擅长煎葱油饼。
这种药需要煎服。
生活有时是一种煎熬。
他在忍受着内心的煎熬。