荫

廕/蔭

yìn, yīn

艹 + 阴

Definitions

yìn (verb) shade; to give shade

yìn (adjective) shady

Etymology

Shade 阴 provided by a tree 艹; 阴 also provides the pronunciation

About

The character 荫 (traditional 蔭) is a phono-semantic compound. Its top radical 艹 (grass) provides the semantic category of plants, while the lower component 阴/陰 serves as the phonetic element and contributes the meaning of shade. The literal definition refers to the shade or cover from foliage. This concept of physical shelter extended metaphorically to mean receiving protection or blessing from authority or ancestors. Thus, the character is commonly used to describe inherited privileges or the sheltering influence of previous generations.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

树荫下很凉爽。

Shù yīn xià hěn liángshuǎng.

It is very cool under the tree shade.

我们在树荫里休息。

Wǒmen zài shù yīn lǐ xiūxi.

We are resting in the tree shade.

这片树荫挡住了阳光。

Zhè piàn shù yīn dǎngzhù le yángguāng.

This patch of tree shade blocks the sunlight.

院子里有荫凉的地方。

Yuànzi lǐ yǒu yīnliáng de dìfāng.

There are shady spots in the courtyard.

大树为人们提供荫蔽。

Dà shù wèi rénmen tígōng yīnbì.

The big tree provides shade for people.

他在父亲的荫庇下成长。

Tā zài fùqīn de yīnbì xià chéngzhǎng.

He grew up under the protection of his father.

浓密的树荫使得夏天不那么炎热。

Nóngmì de shù yīn shǐde xiàtiān bù nàme yánrè.

The dense tree shade makes the summer less hot.

这家公司得益于政府的政策荫庇。

Zhè jiā gōngsī déyì yú zhèngfǔ de zhèngcè yīnbì.

This company benefits from the protection of government policies.

Related Characters

Component: 艹

荫