狞

獰
níng
宁 + 犭

Definitions

níng fierce-looking

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 犭 represents the meaning and 宁 represents the sound. Simplified form of 獰.

Semantic: 犭 Phonetic: 宁

About

狞 is a phono-semantic compound. Its semantic radical 犭 (dog/beast) denotes an animalistic quality, suggesting wildness or ferocity. The phonetic component is 宁. In the traditional form 獰, the phonetic element was 寧, which originally meant "peace" or "tranquility", a stark contrast to the character's actual meaning. The primary sense of 狞 describes a fierce, ferocious, or terrifying appearance, often used for grim expressions or savage behavior. The modern simplified form 狞 resulted from replacing the complex 寧 with the simpler, homophonous 宁, combined with the animal radical.

Example Sentences Hide

他的表情很狰狞。

Tā de biǎoqíng hěn zhēngníng.

His expression is very ferocious.

怪兽的样子非常狰狞。

Guàishòu de yàngzi fēicháng zhēngníng.

The monster's appearance is very ferocious.

在黑暗中，他的脸显得狰狞。

Zài hēi'àn zhōng, tā de liǎn xiǎnde zhēngníng.

In the darkness, his face appears ferocious.

这部电影的反派角色很狰狞。

Zhè bù diànyǐng de fǎnpài juésè hěn zhēngníng.

The villain character in this movie is very ferocious.

风暴中的海浪显得狰狞。

Fēngbào zhōng de hǎilàng xiǎnde zhēngníng.

The waves in the storm appear ferocious.

他的内心充满了狰狞的念头。

Tā de nèixīn chōngmǎn le zhēngníng de niàntou.

His heart is full of ferocious thoughts.

随着局势恶化，他的表情越来越狰狞。

Suízhe júshì èhuà, tā de biǎoqíng yuè lái yuè zhēngníng.

As the situation worsens, his expression becomes more and more ferocious.

在神话故事中，恶魔的形象被描绘得极其狰狞。

Zài shénhuà gùshì zhōng, èmó de xíngxiàng bèi miáohuì dé jíqí zhēngníng.

In mythological stories, the image of demons is depicted as extremely ferocious.

Related Characters

Component: 宁

拧 泞 柠 咛 聍 貯 詝 苧 竚 紵 羜 佇

Component: 犭

独 犯 狂 猛 犹 狗 狱 猜 狠 猫 猎 狼 猪 猩

Example Words

狰狞 狞笑