About
The character "矮" combines the semantic component "矢", meaning arrow, with the phonetic component "委", which indicates its pronunciation, forming a phono-semantic compound that likely draws an associative link between arrows and the measurement of height, where shortness is conceptually gauged. Its core meaning of physical low stature, particularly for people, has been consistently maintained since its inception, though over centuries its usage has extended to describe objects of limited vertical dimension and, in more abstract senses, to imply inadequacy or inferiority. The traditional form of the character, which remains unaltered in structure, reflects this enduring etymological design where the elements jointly convey both sound and a notion related to diminished size.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
这个房子很矮小。
我弟弟比我矮一点。
那个矮个子男孩很灵活。
院子周围有一道矮墙。
这些灌木长得比较矮。
他身材矮小但力气很大。
不要因为身高矮而自卑。
这栋建筑在摩天楼旁边显得很矮。