穴

xué

八 + 宀

Definitions

xué (noun) cave; hole; cavity

xué (noun) acupuncture point

Etymology

Pictograph of a cave opening.

About

穴 is a pictograph of a cave opening, originally representing a primitive dwelling carved into a hillside or earth bank. It combines the roof radical 宀 with the component 八, which visually suggests an entrance or division leading into an enclosed subterranean space. Its primary meanings are cave, den, hole, or animal burrow used for shelter. Beyond literal geographical cavities, the character also denotes acupuncture points in traditional Chinese medicine, treating these locations as vital functional cavities or channels in the body.

Etymology Hide

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这个洞穴很深。

Zhège dòngxué hěn shēn.

This cave is very deep.

兔子住在洞穴里。

Tùzi zhù zài dòngxué lǐ.

The rabbit lives in a burrow.

医生正在按压穴位。

Yīshēng zhèngzài ànyā xuéwèi.

The doctor is pressing on the acupoint.

探险队发现了一个新洞穴。

Tànxiǎnduì fāxiànle yīgè xīn dòngxué.

The exploration team discovered a new cave.

这个蚁穴的结构非常复杂。

Zhège yǐxué de jiégòu fēichāng fùzá.

The structure of this ant nest is very complex.

穴位按摩有助于缓解疲劳。

Xuéwèi ànmó yǒuzhù yú huǎnjiě píláo.

Acupoint massage helps relieve fatigue.

他们在山壁上找到了一个隐蔽的洞穴。

Tāmen zài shān bì shàng zhǎodàole yīgè yǐnbì de dòngxué.

They found a hidden cave on the cliff face.

这项政策的漏洞就像一个无法填补的穴。

Zhè xiàng zhèngcè de lòudòng jiù xiàng yīgè wúfǎ tiánbǔ de xué.

The loophole in this policy is like a hole that cannot be filled.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 八

Component: 宀

穴