Meaning
含 primarily means to hold something in the mouth without swallowing or spitting it out. It extends metaphorically to mean 'to contain' or 'to include' something within, often describing abstract concepts like emotions, meanings, or substances being present within something else.
Usage
含 is commonly used in both literal contexts (holding candy in the mouth) and figurative ones (含义 meaning 'meaning/implication', 包含 'to include'). It frequently appears in compound words describing emotional states like 含泪 (with tears) or chemical composition. In classical or literary contexts, it can express cherishing or harboring feelings.
Examples
- 01这种水果含有丰富的维生素C。.This fruit contains abundant vitamin C.
- 02她含着眼泪向大家告别。.She said goodbye to everyone with tears in her eyes.
Common collocations
- 含泪with tears (in one's eyes)
- 含糊ambiguous, vague
- 含笑with a smile
- 富含rich in, to be rich in
Antonyms
Origin
The character 含 shows a mouth (口) radical with the phonetic component 今 (jīn), originally depicting the act of holding something inside the mouth.