Definitions

wǎn used in 紫菀[zǐ wǎn]
luxuriance of growth

Etymology phono-semantic

grass

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

(wǎn or yù) is a phono-semantic compound combining the grass radical (cǎo), which marks it as plant-related, with (wǎn) for its sound. In classical literature and poetry, it typically functions as an adjective describing grass, trees, or foliage that grows thick and lush, conveying vitality and abundance. It also names the Tartarian aster, a plant whose roots are used in traditional herbal medicine.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern