鸿

鴻

hóng

江 + 鸟

Definitions

hóng (adjective) large; great

hóng (noun) wild goose

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 鸟 represents the meaning and 江 represents the sound. Simplified form of 鴻.

Semantic: 鸟 Phonetic: 江

About

鸿 is a phonosemantic compound, with 鸟 ('bird') indicating the meaning and 江 (jiāng, 'river') indicating the sound. Its traditional form, 鴻, places the unsimplified bird radical 鳥 on the right. Originally, the character referred to a large wild goose or swan, birds renowned for their long-distance migratory flights across vast regions. Because these birds are both physically large and travel such enormous distances, the character metaphorically acquired the meanings of greatness, vastness, grand scale, and profound importance. It frequently appears in Chinese compound words describing magnificent plans, immense geographical expanses, or profound and far-reaching scholarship.

Etymology Hide

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这条鸿沟很难跨越。

Zhè tiáo hónggōu hěn nán kuàyuè.

This gulf is very difficult to cross.

一群鸿雁飞向南方。

Yī qún hóngyàn fēi xiàng nánfāng.

A flock of wild geese flies towards the south.

他正在规划公司的鸿图。

Tā zhèngzài guīhuà gōngsī de hóngtú.

He is planning the grand blueprint for the company.

愿您新年鸿运当头。

Yuàn nín xīnnián hóngyùn dāngtóu.

May you have great luck in the New Year.

这部著作堪称鸿篇巨制。

Zhè bù zhùzuò kānchēng hóngpiānjùzhì.

This work can be called a monumental masterpiece.

双方的分歧犹如一道鸿沟。

Shuāngfāng de fēnqí yóurú yī dào hónggōu.

The disagreement between the two sides is like a vast gulf.

他的演讲气势恢宏，颇有鸿儒风范。

Tā de yǎnjiǎng qìshì huīhóng, pō yǒu hóngrú fēngfàn.

His speech was majestic and quite resembled the demeanor of a great scholar.

这项鸿业远图需要几代人的共同努力。

Zhè xiàng hóngyè yuǎntú xūyào jǐ dài rén de gòngtóng nǔlì.

This grand and far-reaching undertaking requires the joint efforts of several generations.

Related Characters

Component: 江

Component: 鸟

鸿