Meanings of 閹
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About 閹
Podcast: 閹
Podcast: 閹
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AI Study Notes for 閹
This term is quite formal and is rarely used in casual conversation. Common collocations include '閹人' (yān rén) meaning 'eunuch' and '閹割' (yān gē) meaning 'to castrate'. Be careful with the tone; using the wrong tone may lead to misunderstandings.
Although not an HSK vocabulary word, learners should note its historical context. Understanding related terms such as '王' (wáng, king) and '朝廷' (cháo tíng, court) can provide deeper insights into the role of eunuchs in Chinese history.
Learners may confuse '閹' with similar-sounding words or use it incorrectly in modern contexts. For example, saying '我昨天閹了一只狗' (I castrated a dog yesterday) is awkward; instead, use '我昨天给狗去势' which is more appropriate.
Pronunciation of 閹
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Etymology of 閹
Phonosemantic compound. 门 represents the meaning and 奄 represents the sound. Simplified form of 閹.
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Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 閹
Phonosemantic compound. 门 represents the meaning and 奄 represents the sound. Simplified form of 閹.
- 1The meaning half門 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half奄 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawaygate
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 閹? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
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Decomposition of 閹
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How to say eunuch; to castrate in Chinese
“eunuch; to castrate” in Chinese is閹
The character 閹 (yān) refers to a eunuch, a man who has been castrated, often serving in royal courts. It can also mean to castrate in a broader sense, reflecting historical practices in imperial China where eunuchs held significant power and influence. The term is often used in discussions about historical governance and social structures.
When to use 閹
This term is quite formal and is rarely used in casual conversation. Common collocations include '閹人' (yān rén) meaning 'eunuch' and '閹割' (yān gē) meaning 'to castrate'. Be careful with the tone; using the wrong tone may lead to misunderstandings.
What learners get wrong
Learners may confuse '閹' with similar-sounding words or use it incorrectly in modern contexts. For example, saying '我昨天閹了一只狗' (I castrated a dog yesterday) is awkward; instead, use '我昨天给狗去势' which is more appropriate.
Write 閹
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Practice writing 閹 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Word Family of 閹
Compound Meaning
What does 阉 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 閹
No, '閹' is primarily used in historical contexts and discussions about imperial China.
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