含义 meaning in English
meaning (implicit in a phrase); implied meaning
Meaning of 含义
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- meaning (implicit in a phrase)
- implied meaning
- hidden meaning
- hint
- connotation
How to use 含义
含义 is a noun for the meaning carried by a word, sentence, symbol or action, often the deeper or implied meaning. It often appears with verbs like 有 (yǒu) or 理解 (lǐjiě). Example: 这句话有什么含义？(Zhè jù huà yǒu shénme hányì?) What does this sentence imply?
含 (hán) means to hold something in the mouth, and 义 (yì) means meaning. 含义 is the meaning a phrase holds inside it, like something kept in the mouth and not spoken out loud.
Common mistake: Learners often mix up 含义 with 意义 (yìyì). 含义 is what something means, while 意义 is often its significance or value, as in 这件事很有意义 (it is very meaningful). Also keep 含 in the second tone, hán, not hàn.
含义 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
含 hán · to keep in the mouth · 7 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
义 yì · right conduct · 3 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
Related words
Words that share a character with 含义.
| 意义 | yìyì | sense; meaning |
| 义务 | yìwù | duty; obligation (CL:項|项[xiang4]); volunteer (work etc) |
| 包含 | bāohán | to contain; to embody |
| 含有 | hányǒu | to contain; including |
| 含量 | hánliàng | content; quantity contained |
| 正义 | zhèngyì | justice; righteousness; just; righteous |
| 名义 | míngyì | name; titular |
| 定义 | dìngyì | definition; to define |
| 社会主义 | shèhuì zhǔyì | socialism |
| 资本主义 | zīběn zhǔyì | capitalism |
| 主义 | zhǔyì | -ism; ideology |
| 义工 | yìgōng | volunteer worker; volunteer work |
Questions about 含义
What does 含义 mean?
含义 (hányì) means "meaning (implicit in a phrase); implied meaning" and is used as a noun.
How do you write 含义?
含义 is made of 2 characters: 含 (7 strokes), 义 (3 strokes). That is 10 strokes in total.
Is 含义 an HSK word?
Yes. 含义 is on the HSK 4 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 含义 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 含义 is written 含義.
Can I use 含义 to ask what a single word means?
Yes, but it sounds a bit formal. In everyday speech people usually say 这个词是什么意思？(Zhège cí shì shénme yìsi?). 含义 fits better when you discuss a deeper or literary meaning.
What are common phrases with 含义?
You will often see 深刻的含义 (shēnkè de hányì), a profound meaning, and 字面含义 (zìmiàn hányì), literal meaning. 含义丰富 (hányì fēngfù) describes something rich in meaning.