About
The character for itch, "痒" in its simplified form, originates from a traditional form, "癢", which is structured with the "sickness" radical (疒) on top of the component "yang" (羊) which primarily served a phonetic function but also carried an early association with sheep, possibly evoking the irritating sensation of wool against skin. Etymologically, the character’s core meaning has consistently pertained to the physical sensation of itching, though in classical texts it occasionally extended to describe a metaphorical restlessness or yearning. An interesting historical shift is seen in the simplified form "痒", which was not a new creation but actually a borrowing of an older, separate character that originally meant "swelling" or "ailment", a meaning that has since fallen away, allowing this graphically simpler form to solely represent the concept of an itch.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我的手臂有点痒。
蚊子咬的地方很痒。
这种药膏可以止痒。
如果你觉得痒，就不要抓。
穿这件毛衣让我脖子发痒。
过敏反应会导致皮肤红肿和痒。
医生建议使用抗组胺药来缓解顽固的痒感。
尽管涂了药膏，但被虫子叮咬的伤口仍然痒得难以忍受。