Definitions

zhī fat; rouge (cosmetics); resin

Etymology

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

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 脂 is structurally a phono-semantic compound, integrating the meat radical 月 to signify its relation to flesh or bodily substances with the component 旨 primarily serving as a phonetic indicator. Etymologically, its earliest meanings were centered on animal-derived fats and greases, which were essential materials for lighting, lubrication, and food preparation in ancient societies. Over time, the term's application extended beyond animal products to include plant-based oils and a wider array of fatty or creamy substances, thereby encompassing biological lipids and refined products like ointments and cosmetics. This semantic broadening, while maintaining the core association with greasy consistency, is evident in modern compounds such as 脂肪 for bodily fat and 脂粉 for face powder, illustrating a gradual conceptual shift from specific material origins to a more generalized category in scientific and everyday language.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

牛奶中含有肪。

Niú nǎi zhōng hán yǒu zhī fáng.

Milk contains fat.

牛奶更健康。

Tuō zhī niú nǎi gèng jiàn kāng.

Skim milk is healthier.

她每天使用粉化妆。

Tā měi tiān shǐ yòng zhī fěn huà zhuāng.

She uses makeup every day.

过量摄入肪有害健康。

Guò liàng shè rù zhī fáng yǒu hài jiàn kāng.

Excessive fat intake is harmful to health.

是一种常见的工业原料。

Shù zhī shì yī zhǒng cháng jiàn de gōng yè yuán liào.

Resin is a common industrial raw material.

对细胞膜的结构至关重要。

Lín zhī duì xì bāo mó de jié gòu zhì guān zhòng yào.

Phospholipids are crucial to the structure of cell membranes.

通过化学分析,我们可以鉴定质的种类。

Tōng guò huà xué fēn xī, wǒ men kě yǐ jiàn dìng zhī zhì de zhǒng lèi.

Through chemical analysis, we can identify the types of lipids.

尽管类在饮食中必不可少,但需注意均衡摄入以避免心血管疾病。

Jǐn guǎn zhī lèi zài yǐn shí zhōng bì bù kě shǎo, dàn xū zhù yì jūn héng shè rù yǐ bì miǎn xīn xuè guǎn jí bìng.

Although lipids are essential in the diet, it is necessary to pay attention to balanced intake to avoid cardiovascular diseases.