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noun HSK 5
Traditional 含義
hán yì
meaning · connotation · implication · significance

Meaning

含义 refers to the meaning, sense, or significance contained within words, symbols, or actions. It emphasizes the underlying or implicit meaning rather than just the surface-level definition, often pointing to deeper connotations or implications.

Usage

含义 is commonly used in formal or academic contexts when discussing the meaning or significance of terms, concepts, symbols, or expressions. It's often paired with verbs like 理解 (understand), 解释 (explain), or 包含 (contain). More formal than the everyday word 意思.

Examples

  1. 01
    这个成语包含着深刻的含义。
    Zhè ge chéng yǔ bāo hán zhe shēn kè de hán yì.
    This idiom contains profound meaning.
  2. 02
    你理解这句话的真正含义吗？
    Nǐ lǐ jiě zhè jù huà de zhēn zhèng hán yì ma?
    Do you understand the true meaning of this sentence?

Characters

Measure words

  • 种zhǒng这个词有好几种含义
  • 层céng这句话有很多层含义

Common collocations

  • 深刻的含义
    shēn kè de hán yì
    profound meaning
  • 理解含义
    lǐ jiě hán yì
    to understand the meaning
  • 含义丰富
    hán yì fēng fù
    rich in meaning
  • 象征含义
    xiàng zhēng hán yì
    symbolic meaning

Origin

The character 含 means 'to contain' and 义 means 'meaning' or 'righteousness,' so together they literally mean 'the meaning contained within.' This reflects the idea of implicit or deeper significance.

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