About
The character "生" finds its origins in an early pictorial representation of a sprout emerging from the earth, directly embodying the concept of growth and the beginning of life. Its structure, visually suggesting a plant rising from the ground, has consistently reflected this fundamental imagery across time. Initially denoting literal birth and germination, the semantic range of "生" gradually extended to encompass broader ideas such as existence, vitality, and the entirety of life, while also acquiring related connotations like "unprocessed" or "inexperienced", and even referring to a learner or "student" in specific compound words. This shift from concrete to abstract meanings illustrates the character's adaptive capacity to express both tangible life processes and more nuanced aspects of living and being within the language.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我是一个学生。
今天是我的生日。
她生气地离开了。
生活很美好。
这个故事发生在北京。
植物需要阳光才能生长。
生产过程中要注意安全。
生命的价值在于奉献。