Word Family of Terms Originally Pronounced SUAN

Semantic Values of the Sound SUAN: Small/Thin/Slender + (Curving/Round) + Adhere/Be Proximate




  The SUAN word family is a branch of the TUAN word family, emphasizing applications that have in particular to do with smallness, thinness or slenderness.

　Terms in this word family add the nuance of curvature or roundness to the SAN family theme of Small/Thin/Slender + Adhere/Be Proximate. We find a round hole spouting a thin stream of water in 泉, a round cover protecting a collection of jewels in 全, a cylindrical wooden nail/wedge in 栓, an arrangement of cylindrical skewers or blocks in 算, a slender, curving human figure in 允 as described in 俊, a finger/hand settling on another object in 寸, hands encircled about a slender, finely proportioned container of alcohol in 尊, the arranging of objects in a circle in 遵, and the making of a round hole in scooping out contents in 損.

　Among the non-Everyday Use Characters, we find the following examples:

A rat/mouse slipping into a tight hole (竄)
A slender, mythical beast (狻)
A slender person (畯)
Slender pieces of leftover meat (餕)
A large fire in a round cooking stove (爨)
The cylindrical bolt/bar of a gate fitted into its slot (閂)
Arrange in a close, circular formation (巽)
Arrange threads into a braid (纂)
Collect threads/fabric a little at a time (纘)
Step backward a little at a time (逡)
Drill a hole a little at a time (鑽, 鐫)
Arrangement of cloves in a head of garlic (蒜)
An arrangement of wrinkles (皴)
Dredge (浚, 濬)
Place one object upon another in crafting something (拵)
A barrel (樽)
A tubular fish trap (筌, 栫)
Squat, the body in close proximity to the ground (蹲, 踆)
Lower the body in assuming a humble position (撙)

　Extensions of meaning or abstract applications of the senses noted above are found in the remaining characters in this group.




Return to Top | Return to Previous Page