About
The character 酲 (chéng) is a phono-semantic compound, with the semantic radical 酉 (yǒu) denoting a wine vessel and alcohol, and the phonetic component 呈 (chéng) providing the sound. It describes a state of severe intoxication, the discomfort of a hangover, or the process of sobering up after heavy drinking. The radical 酉 firmly places the character within the domain of fermented beverages and their bodily effects. In classical literature and poetry, 酲 is often used to depict the sorrowful or disorienting aftermath of drinking, frequently serving as a metaphor for emotional numbness or a painful return to reality.
Etymology Hide
