耀

yào
光 + 翟

Definitions

yào (adjective) bright; brilliant; radiant; glorious

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 光 represents the meaning and 翟 represents the sound.

About

The character 耀 is a phono-semantic compound: the left-hand radical 光 (light) provides the semantic category, while the right-hand component 翟, originally depicting a long-tailed pheasant, acts as the phonetic. The original, concrete meaning is the emission of an intense, brilliant light, a vivid and dazzling radiance that shines brightly. From this literal brightness, which is naturally attention-grabbing, the meaning extended into the figurative realm of human behavior. It now describes the act of boasting, showing off, or making an ostentatious and highly conspicuous display of one's own glory and accomplishments.

Example Sentences Hide

太阳闪耀着金色的光芒。

Tàiyáng shǎn yào zhe jīnsè de guāngmáng.

The sun shines with golden light.

舞台上的灯光非常耀眼。

Wǔtái shàng de dēngguāng fēicháng yàoyǎn.

The stage lights are extremely dazzling.

这份荣耀属于我们整个团队。

Zhè fèn róngyào shǔyú wǒmen zhěnggè tuánduì.

This honor belongs to our entire team.

他的成就闪耀着智慧的光芒。

Tā de chéngjiù shǎnyào zhe zhìhuì de guāngmáng.

His achievements shine with the light of wisdom.

这座城市被霓虹灯照耀得如同白昼。

Zhè zuò chéngshì bèi níhóngdēng zhàoyào de rútóng báizhòu.

This city is illuminated by neon lights as if it were daytime.

他的英勇行为光耀了家族的门楣。

Tā de yīngyǒng xíngwéi guāngyào le jiāzú de ménméi.

His heroic deeds brought glory to his family.

历史的星空中，总有一些思想熠熠生辉，照耀后人。

Lìshǐ de xīngkōng zhōng, zǒng yǒu yīxiē sīxiǎng yìyìshēng huī, zhàoyào hòurén.

In the starry sky of history, there are always some ideas that shine brightly, illuminating future generations.

谦逊并不会掩盖他内在才华所散发的耀眼光芒。

Qiānxùn bìng bù huì yǎngài tā nèizài cáihuá suǒ sànfā de yàoyǎn guāngmáng.

Humility does not conceal the dazzling brilliance emanating from his innate talent.

Related Characters

Component: 光

辉 晃 恍 胱 觥 咣 銧 桄 輝 㿠 垙 晄 洸 珖

Component: 翟

戳 曜 擢 濯 躍 糴 趯 蠗 櫂 燿 籊 糶 藋 鸐

Example Words

闪耀 荣耀 炫耀 照耀 耀眼 光宗耀祖 光耀 李光耀 耀州 耀斑 耀武扬威 胡耀邦 夸耀 显耀