About
The character for "pus", 脓, presents a clear case of semantic and structural specification over time. Its traditional form, 膿, is composed of the "flesh" or "body" radical (肉, which becomes 月 in character composition) paired with 農, a character meaning agriculture or to farm, which here primarily provides phonetic value. This construction creates a meaning related to a substance produced by the body. Originally, the concept was broader, associated with swelling and inflammation, but its meaning narrowed to refer specifically to the thick fluid of dead cells and bacteria generated by infection. The character's composition thus logically denotes a bodily product, with its phonetic component anchoring its pronunciation while its radical firmly places it in the domain of physical afflictions.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
伤口化脓了。
这个疮在流脓。
医生清理了伤口里的脓液。
他的腿上长了一个脓肿。
皮肤上的脓包需要小心处理。
感染导致伤口严重化脓。
术后排脓是恢复的重要步骤。
这种细菌感染可能引发脓胸。