Definitions

yíng (verb) to win; to beat
yíng (verb) to profit

Etymology

Simplified form of . Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and 𣎆 represents the sound.

Semantic:

About

The character for "win" or "profit", traditionally written as 贏, derives its structure from components that initially emphasized material advantage, with the lower element 貝 symbolizing shell currency and thus anchoring the meaning in the realm of wealth and commerce. The upper complex, 嬴, primarily serves a phonetic role while possibly reinforcing notions of surplus or abundance, together framing the original sense of securing a financial excess or tangible gain. Over time, this specific conception of profit gradually expanded beyond economic contexts to encompass the broader idea of succeeding in any competitive arena, such as warfare or contests, thereby generalizing the meaning to denote victory in a wide array of endeavors. This evolution in usage, from concrete benefit to abstract triumph, is mirrored in the character's enduring compositional logic, which continues to link the idea of winning to its foundational association with valuable assets.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这场比赛我们了。

Zhè chǎng bǐsài wǒmen yíng le.

We won this match.

了那场重要的比赛。

Tā yíngle nà chǎng zhòngyào de bǐsài.

He won that important competition.

得观众的掌声不容易。

Yíngdé guānzhòng de zhǎngshēng bù róngyì.

It's not easy to win the audience's applause.

我们公司今年利了很多。

Wǒmen gōngsī jīnnián yínglìle hěnduō.

Our company made a lot of profit this year.

他的真诚最终得了她的信任。

Tā de zhēnchéng zuìzhōng yíngdéle tā de xìnrèn.

His sincerity finally won her trust.

他们以微弱优势得了选举。

Tāmen yǐ wēiruò yōushì yíngdéle xuǎnjǔ.

They won the election by a narrow margin.

想要得未来,必须不断创新。

Xiǎng yào yíngdé wèilái, bìxū bùduàn chuàngxīn.

To win the future, we must constantly innovate.

在如此不利的条件下得胜利,堪称奇迹。

Zài rúcǐ bùlì de tiáojiàn xià yíngdé shènglì, kān chēng qíjì.

Winning under such unfavorable conditions can be called a miracle.