Definitions

armpit; (biology) axilla; (botany) axil; Taiwan pr. [yì]

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. ⺼ represents the meaning and represents the sound. Originally written as .

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 腋 is a phono-semantic compound. Its left component, the flesh radical 月, places it within the semantic category of body parts or anatomical features. The right component, 夜, provides the phonetic element. The primary meaning is the armpit (axilla). This sense extends in botany to the axil of a leaf and in zoology to the under-wing area of insects or birds. The structure inherently denotes a fleshy, recessed location, which is reflected in its frequent use in medical terminology and in compound words for things tucked in a similar structural corner.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他抬起手臂露出下。

Tā tái qǐ shǒubì lòu chū yèxià.

He raised his arm to reveal his armpit.

运动后他的下出汗了。

Yùndòng hòu tā de yèxià chū hàn le.

After exercise, his armpits sweated.

医生检查了他的窝淋巴结。

Yīshēng jiǎnchá le tā de yèwō línbā jié.

The doctor checked his armpit lymph nodes.

她使用止汗剂防止下异味。

Tā shǐyòng zhǐhànjì fángzhǐ yèxià yìwèi.

She uses deodorant to prevent armpit odor.

下的皮肤很敏感容易发红。

Yèxià de pífū hěn mǐngǎn róngyì fā hóng.

The skin under the armpit is sensitive and easily turns red.

如果窝疼痛可能需要看医生。

Rúguǒ yèwō téngtòng kěnéng xūyào kàn yīshēng.

If there is pain in the armpit, you may need to see a doctor.

他因下多汗症而感到困扰。

Tā yīn yèxià duōhànzhèng ér gǎndào kùnrǎo.

He is troubled by hyperhidrosis in his armpits.

在炎热天气里保持下干燥很重要。

Zài yánrè tiānqì lǐ bǎochí yèxià gānzào hěn zhòngyào.

It is important to keep the armpits dry in hot weather.