Definitions

yìn descendant; heir; offspring; posterity; to inherit

Etymology

represents the split between the bloodline relations. represents continuation. ⺼ represents the bloodline. All of these components convey the meaning "descendant".

About

The character "胤" derives from early conceptualizations of lineal descent, with its structural composition incorporating the radical "肉" appearing as "月" to express the physical dimension of kinship, combined with "幺" implying something small or youthful and "八" suggesting division or branching, thereby visually encapsulating the idea of offspring extending from a common ancestral source. Its meaning has persistently centered on posterity and succession across dynastic periods, maintaining this core semantic value while gradually receding from everyday language to occupy a more specialized niche within classical discourse and historical nomenclature. The traditional form of the character, unchanged by simplification processes, continues to embody these compositional elements that directly align with its etymological emphasis on generational continuity.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他的朋友名叫

tā de péng you míng jiào yìn.

His friend is named Yin.

历史上有一位皇太子叫礽。

lì shǐ shàng yǒu yī wèi huáng tài zǐ jiào yìn réng.

In history, there was a crown prince named Yinreng.

这个家族希望嗣繁荣。

zhè ge jiā zú xī wàng yìn sì fán róng.

This family hopes for prosperous descendants.

清代康熙帝的皇子们名字里都有字。

qīng dài kāng xī dì de huáng zǐ men míng zì lǐ dōu yǒu yìn zì.

The sons of Emperor Kangxi in the Qing Dynasty all had the character Yin in their names.

皇位的继承关乎国祚续。

huáng wèi de jì chéng guān hū guó zuò yìn xù.

The succession to the throne is related to the continuation of the dynasty.

那个朝代的祚最终断绝了。

nà ge cháo dài de yìn zuò zuì zhōng duàn jué le.

The imperial lineage of that dynasty eventually ended.

研究谱牒学可以追溯家族的系。

yán jiū pǔ dié xué kě yǐ zhuī sù jiā zú de yìn xì.

Studying genealogy can trace a family's bloodline.

文化的衍需要代代人的努力。

wén huà de yìn yǎn xū yào dài dài rén de nǔ lì.

The propagation of culture requires the effort of generations.