Definitions

gān (noun) liver
gān (verb) to grind; to put in long hours (gaming slang)

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. ⺼ represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "肝", representing the liver, is etymologically defined by its structure as a phono-semantic compound combining the flesh radical "月" as the semantic element with "干" as the phonetic component. Historically, its core meaning has centered on the physical organ, yet its semantic application has expanded to include metaphorical expressions like "肝火", denoting anger through traditional associations with liver function, and more recently it has been adopted as a verb in colloquial use to describe engaging in activities with persistent diligence. These shifts in meaning have occurred while the character's fundamental composition has remained consistent.

Etymology Hide

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

Example Sentences Hide

脏是人体的重要器官。

Gānzàng shì réntǐ de zhòngyào qìguān.

The liver is an important organ in the human body.

医生检查了他的功能。

Yīshēng jiǎnchá le tā de gāngōngnéng.

The doctor checked his liver function.

过量饮酒会伤害脏。

Guòliàng yǐnjiǔ huì shānghài gānzàng.

Excessive drinking can harm the liver.

病需要及时治疗。

Gānbìng xūyào jíshí zhìliáo.

Liver disease requires timely treatment.

她因为癌住院了。

Tā yīnwèi gān'ái zhùyuàn le.

She was hospitalized due to liver cancer.

中医认为火旺会导致失眠。

Zhōngyī rènwéi gānhuǒ wàng huì dǎozhì shīmián.

Traditional Chinese medicine believes that excessive liver fire can cause insomnia.

脏移植手术非常复杂。

Gānzàng yízhí shǒushù fēicháng fùzá.

Liver transplant surgery is very complex.

研究人员正在开发新的病药物。

Yánjiū rényuán zhèngzài kāifā xīn de gānbìng yàowù.

Researchers are developing new drugs for liver disease.