Definitions

wàn (noun) wrist
wàn (noun) arm (of squid, starfish etc)

Etymology

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

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 腕 is a phono-semantic compound, combining the semantic radical 月 (representing flesh or body parts) with the phonetic component 宛. Its primary meaning is the wrist, the joint connecting hand and forearm. Over time, this meaning broadened to encompass concepts of physical strength, capability, or power, often used metaphorically to describe someone's skill or authority in a specific domain. Historically, its structure of flesh radical plus phonetic marker has remained the standard form, with no alternative traditional variant developing.

Example Sentences Hide

我的手有点疼。

Wǒ de shǒuwàn yǒudiǎn téng.

My wrist hurts a bit.

他展示了灵活的手技巧。

Tā zhǎnshì le línghuó de shǒuwàn jìqiǎo.

He demonstrated flexible wrist techniques.

这位医生是治疗关节的专家。

Zhè wèi yīshēng shì zhìliáo wànguānjié de zhuānjiā.

This doctor is a specialist in treating wrist joints.

健身时要注意保护手

Jiànshēn shí yào zhùyì bǎohù shǒuwàn.

You must protect your wrists when working out.

他的力很大,能轻松掰开苹果。

Tā de wànlì hěn dà, néng qīngsōng bāikāi píngguǒ.

His wrist strength is great; he can easily break open an apple.

那块表的设计非常精美。

Nà kuài wànbiǎo de shèjì fēicháng jīngměi.

The design of that wristwatch is very exquisite.

谈判中,他运用了高超的政治手

Tánpàn zhōng, tā yùnyòng le gāochāo de zhèngzhì shǒuwàn.

During the negotiations, he employed superb political maneuvering.

这位年轻选手颇具大将风范,是网坛冉冉升起的新

Zhè wèi niánqīng xuǎnshǒu pō jù dàjiàng fēngfàn, shì wǎng tán rǎnrǎn shēngqǐ de xīn wàn.

This young player has the bearing of a great general and is a rising new star in the tennis world.