About
The character 讴 is a phono-semantic compound, with 讠(yán, speech) on the left indicating its connection to vocal expression and 区 (qū, area) on the right providing the phonetic element. Its traditional form is 謳, combining the speech radical 言 with the phonetic 區. Originally meaning to sing local folk songs or ballads, its sense later expanded from the simple act of singing to encompass praising or eulogizing someone through song or verse, shifting from a neutral musical action to one of admiration.
Etymology Hide
