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本意 (běn yì) — Chinese word meaning

HSK 7

本意 (běn yì) is a Chinese word: original intention. This page shows its pinyin, translation, example sentences, character breakdown, decomposition, and HSK level.

Meaning of 本意

名 míng noun

original intention

我的本意不是要伤害你。

wǒ de běn yì bù shì yào shāng hài nǐ

My original intention was not to hurt you.

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Word breakdown

本 běn — original, fundamental

Words with this character (32)
  • 1 本子 běn zi — notebook HSK 2
    • 本 book, bound volume
    • 子 diminutive suffix (makes the word colloquial)
    Example

    我需要买一个新本子。

    wǒ xū yào mǎi yí ge xīn běn zi

    I need to buy a new notebook.

  • 2 笔记本 bǐ jì běn — notebook HSK 3
    • 笔 writing, pen (indicates writing-related purpose)
    • 记 to record, notes (indicates function of recording information)
    • 本 book, volume (indicates physical form as a bound book)
    Example

    我买了一个新笔记本。

    wǒ mǎi le yí gè xīn bǐ jì běn

    I bought a new notebook.

  • 3 课本 kè běn — textbook HSK 3
    • 课 lesson, course
    • 本 book, volume
    Example

    我忘记带课本了。

    wǒ wàng jì dài kè běn le

    I forgot to bring my textbook.

  • 4 基本 jī běn — basic HSK 4
    • 基 foundation, base
    • 本 root, origin, basis
    Example

    这是最基本的常识。

    zhè shì zuì jī běn de cháng shí

    This is the most basic common sense.

  • 5 基本上 jī běn shàng — basically HSK 4
    • 基 foundation, base (forms the base meaning of 'fundamental')
    • 本 root, origin (reinforces the fundamental nature)
    • 上 grammatical suffix (converts the adjective into an adverb)
    Example

    我基本上每天都锻炼。

    wǒ jī běn shàng měi tiān dōu duàn liàn

    I basically exercise every day.

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  • 6 本来 běn lái — originally HSK 4
    • 本 original, fundamental, root
    • 来 come (from the past), since
    Example

    我本来想去，但是太忙了。

    wǒ běn lái xiǎng qù dàn shì tài máng le

    I originally wanted to go, but I was too busy.

  • 7 本科 běn kē — undergraduate HSK 4
    • 本 fundamental, basic
    • 科 program, course
    Example

    我正在读本科。

    wǒ zhèng zài dú běn kē

    I am currently studying for my undergraduate degree.

  • 8 成本 chéng běn — cost HSK 5
    • 成 formation, what is made/formed
    • 本 fundamental amount, principal, basis
    Example

    我们需要降低生产成本。

    wǒ men xū yào jiàng dī shēng chǎn chéng běn

    We need to reduce production costs.

  • 9 本人 běn rén — oneself HSK 5
    • 本 this, present (referring to the current person)
    • 人 person (the individual being referred to)
    Example

    本人承诺遵守规定。

    běn rén chéng nuò zūn shǒu guī dìng

    I myself promise to abide by the regulations.

  • 10 本地 běn dì — local HSK 5
    • 本 this, native, original
    • 地 place, locality, area
    Example

    他是本地人。

    tā shì běn dì rén

    He is a local.

  • 11 本质 běn zhì — essence HSK 5
    • 本 fundamental, root, original
    • 质 nature, quality, substance
    Example

    这个问题的本质是信任。

    zhè ge wèn tí de běn zhì shì xìn rèn

    The essence of this problem is trust.

  • 12 本领 běn lǐng — skill HSK 5
    • 本 fundamental, inherent
    • 领 grasp, command, mastery
    Example

    他修理汽车的本领很厉害。

    tā xiū lǐ qì chē de běn lǐng hěn lì hai

    His skill at repairing cars is impressive.

  • 13 根本 gēn běn — foundation HSK 5
    • 根 root, fundamental
    • 本 origin, basis
    Example

    教育是国家发展的根本。

    jiào yù shì guó jiā fā zhǎn de gēn běn

    Education is the foundation of national development.

  • 14 剧本 jù běn — script HSK 6
    • 剧 drama, theatrical performance
    • 本 text, written version
    Example

    他正在写一个电影剧本。

    tā zhèng zài xiě yí gè diàn yǐng jù běn

    He is writing a movie script.

  • 15 原本 yuán běn — originally HSK 6
    • 原 original, initial
    • 本 fundamental, basic
    Example

    我原本打算去北京，但是改变主意了。

    wǒ yuán běn dǎ suàn qù běi jīng dàn shì gǎi biàn zhǔ yi le

    I originally planned to go to Beijing, but I changed my mind.

  • 16 本土 běn tǔ — native land; local; domestic HSK 6
    • 本 origin, root, one's own, native
    • 土 land, territory, soil
    Example

    我们需要培养更多本土人才。

    wǒ men xū yào péi yǎng gèng duō běn tǔ rén cái

    We need to cultivate more local talent.

  • 17 本能 běn néng — instinct HSK 6
    • 本 fundamental, innate, original
    • 能 ability, capability
    Example

    母爱是一种本能。

    mǔ ài shì yì zhǒng běn néng

    Maternal love is an instinct.

  • 18 本身 běn shēn — itself HSK 6
    • 本 original, fundamental, basic
    • 身 self, entity, body
    Example

    这个问题本身并不复杂。

    zhè ge wèn tí běn shēn bìng bù fù zá

    This problem itself is not complicated.

  • 19 版本 bǎn běn — version HSK 6
    • 版 edition, printed form
    • 本 copy, instance
    Example

    这个软件的最新版本已经发布了。

    zhè ge ruǎn jiàn de zuì xīn bǎn běn yǐ jīng fā bù le

    The latest version of this software has been released.

  • 20 资本 zī běn — capital HSK 6
    • 资 resources, wealth, assets
    • 本 fundamental, principal, basis
    Example

    他有足够的资本开公司。

    tā yǒu zú gòu de zī běn kāi gōng sī

    He has enough capital to start a company.

  • 21 亏本 kuī běn — to lose money HSK 7
    • 亏 loss, deficit
    • 本 capital, principal
    Example

    这家公司连续三年亏本经营。

    zhè jiā gōng sī lián xù sān nián kuī běn jīng yíng

    This company has operated at a loss for three consecutive years.

  • 22 副本 fù běn — copy HSK 7
    • 副 secondary, auxiliary (indicating duplication)
    • 本 copy, edition (the physical or digital instance)
    Example

    请保存好这份文件的副本。

    qǐng bǎo cún hǎo zhè fèn wén jiàn de fù běn

    Please keep a copy of this document.

  • 23 基本功 jī běn gōng — basic skills HSK 7
    Example

    他的基本功很好，所以进步很快。

    tā de jī běn gōng hěn hǎo suǒ yǐ jìn bù hěn kuài

    His basic skills are very good, so he progresses quickly.

  • 24 本事 běn shi — ability HSK 7
    • 本 fundamental, basic
    • 事 matter, affair (forms 'ability' with 本)
    Example

    他很有本事。

    tā hěn yǒu běn shi

    He has great ability.

  • 25 本分 běn fèn — dutiful HSK 7
    • 本 fundamental, proper, original
    • 分 duty, role, status
    Example

    他是个本分的人，从不惹事。

    tā shì gè běn fèn de rén cóng bù rě shì

    He is a dutiful person who never causes trouble.

  • 26 本性 běn xìng — nature HSK 7
    • 本 fundamental, original, root
    • 性 nature, character, quality
    Example

    他虽然经历了很多，但本性没变。

    tā suī rán jīng lì le hěn duō dàn běn xìng méi biàn

    He has experienced a lot, but his nature hasn't changed.

  • 27 本着 běn zhe — in the spirit of HSK 7
    • 本 basis, foundation
    • 着 particle indicating manner or continuous action
    Example

    本着公平的原则，我们做出了这个决定。

    běn zhe gōng píng de yuán zé wǒ men zuò chū le zhè ge jué dìng

    In the spirit of fairness, we made this decision.

  • 28 本色 běn sè — true nature, true colors HSK 7
    • 本 original, fundamental, inherent
    • 色 color, appearance, character, quality
    Example

    他终于露出了本色。

    tā zhōng yú lù chū le běn sè

    He finally showed his true colors.

  • 29 本钱 běn qián — capital HSK 7
    • 本 principal, original
    • 钱 money
    Example

    他用所有的本钱开了一家餐厅。

    tā yòng suǒ yǒu de běn qián kāi le yì jiā cān tīng

    He used all his capital to open a restaurant.

  • 30 标本 biāo běn — specimen HSK 7
    • 标 mark, standard, model (representing a typical example)
    • 本 original, sample (the preserved object itself)
    Example

    这个博物馆收藏了很多珍贵的动物标本。

    zhè ge bó wù guǎn shōu cáng le hěn duō zhēn guì de dòng wù biāo běn

    This museum houses many precious animal specimens.

  • 31 样本 yàng běn — sample HSK 7
    • 样 type, pattern, representative form
    • 本 original, fundamental item, the thing itself
    Example

    我们需要收集更多的样本进行研究。

    wǒ men xū yào shōu jí gèng duō de yàng běn jìn xíng yán jiū

    We need to collect more samples for research.

  • 32 资本主义 zī běn zhǔ yì — capitalism HSK 7
    • 资 capital, resources
    • 本 foundation, basis (forms 'capital' with 资)
    • 主 main, master (indicates primary doctrine)
    • 义 principle, -ism (suffix for doctrines/ideologies)
    Example

    资本主义和社会主义是两种不同的经济制度。

    zī běn zhǔ yì hé shè huì zhǔ yì shì liǎng zhǒng bù tóng de jīng jì zhì dù

    Capitalism and socialism are two different economic systems.

意 yì — intention, meaning

Words with this character (61)
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Structure & writing
1 本 běn — root or stem of a plant
本 is a component in 2 characters
HSK 2
体 tǐ the whole body of a person or animal; by extension, a part of the body
HSK 4
笨 bèn stupid; slow-witted

consists of

1.1 木 mù — tree; general term for woody plants
木 is a component in 126 characters
HSK 1
休 xiū to stop; to cease (something) 床 chuáng bed (furniture for sleeping) 本 běn root or stem of a plant 机 jī machine; a device or apparatus composed of many parts that can do work or serve a special function 条 tiáo a long narrow strip
Show more HSK 1 characters (+7)
杯 bēi cup or glass for holding wine, water, tea, etc. 果 guǒ fruit; the seed-bearing part of a plant after flowering 校 xiào school 样 yàng shape; appearance; state of affairs 桌 zhuō table; desk (furniture for placing items on) 椅 yǐ chair (a seat with a backrest) 茶 chá tea plant (evergreen shrub with oblong leaves, white flowers, and hard-shelled seeds; young leaves are processed into tea leaves)
HSK 2
楼 lóu a floor/storey of a building
HSK 3
末 mò tip or end of an object 朵 duǒ measure word for flowers or clusters 李 lǐ plum tree (deciduous tree with white flowers) 束 shù to tie; to bind 板 bǎn a flat, hard piece of material (board, plank, slab)
Show more HSK 3 characters (+8)
极 jí apex; highest point; extremity 查 chá to inspect carefully; to examine 树 shù tree; general term for woody plants 根 gēn root (organ of a higher plant that anchors it and absorbs water and nutrients; taproots and fibrous roots) 梯 tī ladder; stairs; escalator 检 jiǎn to inspect; to examine 概 gài general idea; outline 相 xiāng mutually; each other
HSK 4
困 kùn to be trapped in hardship or difficulty; unable to break free from circumstances 术 shù skill; technique; art; learning 杂 zá varied; mixed; not pure 材 cái timber; wood 村 cūn village; small residential settlement
Show more HSK 4 characters (+14)
松 sōng pine tree (evergreen or deciduous conifer) 林 lín forest; grove of trees or bamboo 染 rǎn to dye (an object with dye) 柿 shì persimmon tree, a deciduous tree with oval leaves, yellowish-white flowers, and edible orange or red fruit 标 biāo treetop; tip of a branch 格 gé a ruled cell, box, or grid compartment 案 àn ancient wooden food tray 桥 qiáo bridge (structure built over water or in the air for passage) 桶 tǒng bucket; barrel; tub (cylindrical container made of plastic, wood, or metal, sometimes with a handle) 棒 bàng stick; club (usu. thick and short) 森 sēn abounding in trees; densely forested 棵 kē measure word for plants 植 zhí to plant, to cultivate 深 shēn deep (opposite of shallow)
HSK 5
未 wèi not yet (opposite of 已) 权 quán ancient counterweight of a steelyard 构 gòu to construct; to compose; to design 析 xī to separate; to disperse 架 jià rack, shelf, or frame used to support or hold objects
Show more HSK 5 characters (+13)
某 mǒu a certain (person, place, thing, etc.); so-and-so 柜 guì cabinet or chest (for storing documents, clothes, etc.), usually rectangular, made of metal or wood, with a door or lid 桃 táo peach tree, a small deciduous tree with smooth twigs, oblong-lanceolate leaves, solitary pink flowers, and sweet, roughly spherical fruit covered in fine fuzz; the kernel is used medicinally 档 dàng shelving or cabinet with compartments for storing files 梨 lí pear tree, a deciduous tree or shrub with five-petaled white flowers and oval leaves 模 mó rule; norm; standard 橘 jú mandarin orange tree, an evergreen tree bearing oblate sweet-sour fruit with red-yellow peel used in medicine 橙 chéng orange tree (evergreen tree with oval leaves, juicy round fruit with red-yellow rind) 橡 xiàng deciduous oak tree (also called 栎, 麻栎, or 柞树) whose leaves feed silkworms and whose timber is used for sleepers and furniture 荣 róng lush; flourishing (of plants) 采 cǎi to pick (flowers, leaves, or fruit) 闲 xián free; unoccupied; idle (opposite of 'busy') 集 jí to gather, assemble, collect
HSK 6
呆 dāi foolish; stupid 朴 pǔ unworked timber; rough wood 杀 shā to kill; to cause the death of a person or animal 杰 jié a person of outstanding talent 枕 zhěn pillow
Show more HSK 6 characters (+21)
枝 zhī branch (of a plant) 枪 qiāng traditional spear or lance with a sharp metal tip on a long shaft 枯 kū withered; dried out (of plants) 柔 róu soft, pliant (opposite of "刚") 柴 chái firewood; brushwood for burning 栋 dòng ridgepole or main beam of a house 栏 lán railing; barrier 株 zhū roots and trunk of a tree above ground 核 hé hard pit or stone at the center of a fruit 梁 liáng beam; horizontal load-bearing timber or structural member 梅 méi plum tree (deciduous tree with oval leaves, cold-resistant, blooming in early spring with five-petaled flowers in pink, white, or red; fruit is round, green when unripe and yellow when ripe, edible and sour) 械 xiè specialized implement or tool 棉 mián cotton plant (annual or perennial herb or shrub; cultivated varieties include upland cotton, sea-island cotton, tree cotton, etc.; cotton fibers are a key textile material; seeds can be pressed for oil; commonly called 棉花) 棋 qí board game (such as Go, chess, checkers) 棍 gùn stick; rod (made from wood, bamboo, etc.) 棕 zōng brown color (like palm fiber) 椎 zhuī vertebra, short bone forming the spine in humans and higher animals 椒 jiāo pepper plant (Sichuan pepper, black pepper, chili pepper, etc.) whose fruits or seeds have a pungent or spicy flavor 榜 bǎng posted list of names 横 héng horizontal (opposite of vertical 竖/直) 渠 qú waterway, especially an artificially dug canal or ditch
HSK 7
朱 zhū vermilion, bright red 朽 xiǔ to rot or decay (of material over time) 杆 gǎn the slender, rod-like part of an object (including hollow ones) 杖 zhàng walking stick, cane 杜 dù birchleaf pear tree (a deciduous tree with small, astringent fruit, used as main rootstock for grafting pears)
Show more HSK 7 characters (+32)
杠 gàng thick rod or pole 杨 yáng poplar tree (deciduous tree with oval or lanceolate leaves and upright branches, including white poplar and other varieties) 枉 wǎng crooked, bent; referring to error or deviation 枚 méi a counter for small objects (similar to 个), one by one 枢 shū pivot; central or crucial part 柄 bǐng handle of an object 柏 bǎi cypress tree, an evergreen with scale-like leaves and cone fruits; hard wood used as building material 柱 zhù pillar; column (a vertical load-bearing structural member in a building, usually made of wood or stone) 柳 liǔ willow tree (deciduous tree with long, slender drooping branches and narrow leaves) 栖 qī to perch (originally of birds on trees); broadly, to dwell or stay 栽 zāi to plant; to grow (plants) 桂 guì plant name: 1. cinnamon tree (evergreen, white flowers, aromatic bark used as spice and medicine); 2. bay laurel (evergreen, oblong leaves, yellow flowers, leaves used as spice); 3. sweet osmanthus (evergreen shrub or small tree, also called 木樨, white or yellow fragrant flowers used as spice) 框 kuàng frame embedded in a wall for installing doors or windows 桑 sāng mulberry tree, a deciduous tree with oval serrated leaves used to feed silkworms, sweet purple or yellow-green fruit, and bark/leaves/fruit/roots used in medicine 桨 jiǎng oar; paddle (for rowing a boat, usually wooden, cylindrical on the upper part and flat and slightly wider on the lower part) 桩 zhuāng stake or post driven into the ground 梢 shāo the thinner end of a strip-like object 梭 suō shuttle (weaving tool on a loom that carries the weft thread through the warp, thick in the middle and pointed at both ends, typically made of hard wood; also called 梭子) 梳 shū comb (tool for tidying hair or beard, made of bamboo, wood, or plastic) 棚 péng shed or awning made of bamboo, wood, and matting to shelter from sun, wind, and rain 棱 léng edge where two surfaces of an object meet 棺 guān coffin 椭 tuǒ elliptical; oval shape formed by cutting a cylinder or cone at an angle 椰 yē coconut palm, a tall tropical evergreen tree whose fruit contains juice and edible flesh 楷 kǎi model, example, standard 榨 zhà to press or squeeze out juice from something 槐 huái pagoda tree, a deciduous tree with pinnate leaves, pale yellow flowers, and cylindrical seed pods; used as dye source, medicine, and timber 槛 kǎn threshold (low strip at the base of a door, made of wood or stone) 槽 cáo trough (rectangular container with raised sides and a sunken middle, used for feed, water, or wine; especially a feed trough for livestock) 橱 chú cabinet; cupboard (a piece of furniture with doors for storing things) 檐 yán eaves; overhanging edge of a roof 沐 mù to wash one's hair; to bathe, wash
1.2 一 yī — the smallest positive integer; one (①used before a measure word ②used before a noun ③indicates a single action or a brief/tentative action)
一 is a component in 58 characters
HSK 1
下 xià lower position (opposite of 上): ① positioned below (opposite of 上); ② later in order or time; ③ within a certain range, condition, or circumstance 两 liǎng two (used before measure words and 半, 千, 万, 亿) 事 shì matter; affair; everything that happens in nature and society 候 hòu to wait; to await 元 yuán the Yuan dynasty (1271–1368), founded by Kublai Khan
Show more HSK 1 characters (+10)
兴 xīng to be popular; to be in vogue 再 zài twice; a second time 前 qián front; the direction one faces (opposite of 后) 天 tiān sky 子 zǐ child (son or daughter in ancient usage); now specifically son 师 shī teacher; instructor (one who imparts knowledge or skills) 本 běn root or stem of a plant 正 zhèng straight; upright (opposite of crooked or tilted) 百 bǎi hundred (the number 100) 贵 guì expensive; of high value (opposite of 贱)
HSK 2
夫 fū general term for an adult man 画 huà to draw or paint (with a brush or similar tool)
HSK 3
其 qí pronoun: ① he, they ② his, their ③ that, those 合 hé to close; to shut; to bring together (opposite of 开) 夏 xià summer (the second of the four seasons) 带 dài ribbon, strip, or belt-shaped object 应 yìng to reply; to answer
Show more HSK 3 characters (+7)
或 huò perhaps; maybe 更 gēng to change; to replace; to substitute 末 mò tip or end of an object 求 qiú to beg, to implore 演 yǎn to evolve; to change gradually 直 zhí straight; not curved (opposite of 曲) 行 xíng to walk; to go
HSK 4
亚 yà inferior (mostly used in negative constructions) 亲 qīn related by blood or marriage; esp. parents 具 jù tool; utensil; implement 咸 xián (lit.) all; everyone (classical adverb) 断 duàn to break into two or more pieces (of something long)
HSK 5
善 shàn kind; benevolent; charitable (opposite of 恶) 威 wēi authority or power that commands awe and respect 旦 dàn dawn; early morning 未 wèi not yet (opposite of 已) 武 wǔ military; martial (opposite of civil/literary "文")
HSK 6
兼 jiān doubled; combining two portions into one 德 dé morality; ethical standards and norms of conduct 拜 bài to bow or salute as a show of respect 灭 miè go out; stop burning or shining (opposite of 着) 衰 shuāi to decline, to weaken
HSK 7
丘 qiū small hill; mound 丙 bǐng third of the ten Heavenly Stems; used to indicate third in order 丛 cóng to cluster together, to gather in a mass 兹 zī (lit., class.) demonstrative pronoun: this; this one 兽 shòu beast; mammal (generally referring to four-legged, fur-covered mammals)
Show more HSK 7 characters (+9)
拯 zhěng to rescue, to save 朱 zhū vermilion, bright red 胚 pēi embryo; organism in early development, formed from fertilized or unfertilized egg 蒙 méng ignorant, lacking knowledge 贮 zhù to store; to stockpile 逆 nì to go in the opposite direction (opposite of 顺) 遣 qiǎn to dispatch; to send 陋 lòu ugly; unsightly 隆 lóng grand; magnificent

Stroke order

2 意 yì — wish; intention

意 is not used as a component in any other character.

consists of

2.1 音 yīn — sound; pronunciation
音 is a component in 5 characters
HSK 2
意 yì wish; intention
HSK 4
竟 jìng to end; to finish 章 zhāng a section or chapter of music, poetry, or prose
HSK 5
暗 àn dark, dim (opposite of 明)
HSK 7
韵 yùn harmonious sound
2.2 心 xīn — heart (organ that pumps blood)
心 is a component in 51 characters
HSK 1
怎 zěn (colloq.) interrogative pronoun: how, why, what (asking about nature, state, manner, or reason) 息 xī breath; air inhaled and exhaled 您 nín respectful form of 'you' (你) 想 xiǎng to think; to ponder
HSK 2
忘 wàng to forget, fail to remember, omit 思 sī to think, consider, use one's mind 意 yì wish; intention
HSK 3
必 bì certainly; definitely 急 jí anxious; impatient 总 zǒng to gather together, to assemble 感 gǎn to move (emotionally); to touch 愿 yuàn to be willing; to agree gladly
HSK 4
志 zhì aspiration; determination to achieve something 忽 hū careless, inattentive 态 tài shape; state; appearance 恐 kǒng to fear; to dread 悉 xī complete, entire
Show more HSK 4 characters (+1)
虑 lǜ to think over; to ponder
HSK 5
忍 rěn to endure; to suppress one's feelings 念 niàn to miss; to think of constantly 怨 yuàn resentment; hatred 恋 liàn to be in love, to adore 悠 yōu long-lasting, distant, remote
Show more HSK 5 characters (+2)
慧 huì intelligent; wise 慰 wèi to comfort; to soothe someone's mind
HSK 6
德 dé morality; ethical standards and norms of conduct 怒 nù to be angry; to feel indignant 恶 è evil deeds; wicked conduct (opposite of '善') 患 huàn calamity; disaster 悲 bēi sad, sorrowful
Show more HSK 6 characters (+3)
惑 huò confused; uncertain about right and wrong 惩 chéng to punish; to discipline, warn 愁 chóu to worry; to feel anxious
HSK 7
忌 jì to envy; to resent 忠 zhōng loyal and devoted, wholehearted sincerity 怂 sǒng (lit.) frightened; alarmed 怠 dài lazy; slack 恕 shù to forgive, to pardon
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恩 ēn kindness; deep benevolence 恳 kěn sincere, earnest 恿 yǒng to instigate or urge someone to do something (see 〖怂恿〗) 悬 xuán to hang up; to suspend in the air 惹 rě to attract, to provoke 愈 yù to recover from illness 愚 yú stupid; foolish 慈 cí kind, benevolent 憋 biē to suppress or hold back (from coming out) 憨 hān foolish; idiotic 芯 xīn peeled rush pith; the central part of a plant 葱 cōng scallion; green onion (a common vegetable or seasoning) 闷 mèn depressed; unhappy in mood

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