About
The character 牵 is a phono-semantic compound. In its traditional form 牽, the semantic component 牛 (niú, ox) provides the meaning category, while the phonetic elements 玄 (xuán) and 冖 (mì) indicate the pronunciation. It originally depicted leading an ox with a rope, capturing its core sense of pulling or dragging. The simplified form 牵 retains the essential 牛 radical at the base, replacing the upper portion with a simplified phonetic structure using 大 (dà). Its meaning later extended from the physical act to more abstract notions of involving or implicating someone.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
他牵着狗走路。
这件事牵涉很多人。
我一直牵挂着你。
火车由机车牵引。
他的故事牵动了我的心。
她为双方牵线搭桥。
这个决定牵涉到公司的未来。
由于政策变动，牵涉到的利益方需要重新协商。