Definitions

wēng (noun) elderly man
wēng (noun) father; father-in-law

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "翁" integrates the component "羽", representing feathers, with "公", which carries connotations of male elders or communal respect, suggesting an initial association with individuals possibly marked by feather adornments or seniority. Over time, its meaning shifted from any direct avian reference toward a generalized designation for an aged man, with the feather element fading into a structural remnant rather than a active semantic contributor. This evolution is reflected in classical and modern contexts where "翁" serves to indicate elder male figures, as in terms like "老翁" or "漁翁", while its compound form of "公" above "羽" has remained consistent, anchoring the character's phonetic and historical essence.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

那位老很健康。

Nà wèi lǎo wēng hěn jiànkāng.

That old man is very healthy.

一位渔在河边钓鱼。

Yí wèi yú wēng zài hé biān diàoyú.

A fisherman is fishing by the river.

故事里的富非常慷慨。

Gùshì lǐ de fùwēng fēicháng kāngkǎi.

The rich man in the story is very generous.

我们亲切地称他张

Wǒmen qīnqiè de chēng tā Zhāng wēng.

We affectionately call him Old Zhang.

这个不倒怎么也推不倒。

Zhège bùdǎowēng zěnme yě tuī bù dǎo.

This roly-poly toy just won't fall over no matter how you push it.

他们婿二人的关系十分融洽。

Tāmen wēng xù èr rén de guānxì shífēn róngqià.

The relationship between the father-in-law and son-in-law is very harmonious.

她过门后对姑照顾有加。

Tā guòmén hòu duì wēng gū zhàogù yǒu jiā.

After marrying into the family, she took great care of her parents-in-law.

之意不在酒,在乎山水之间也。

Zuì wēng zhī yì bù zài jiǔ, zàihū shānshuǐ zhī jiān yě.

The drinker's heart is not in the cup, but in the scenery of mountains and waters.