囊 (náng) - bag, sack, pocket & to contain, to hold

囊Tone 2

náng ｜ 22 strokes ｜ radical:

楠念

囊 · náng

bag, sack, pocket;

to contain, to hold;

in biology, refers to sac-like structures;

also used in words meaning to undertake or manage.

bag, sack, pocketto contain, to holdin biology, refers to sac-like structures

Usage highlights

backpackcapsulepocketbursacystgallbladder

Synonyms

  • 袋— bag, sack
  • 包— bag, package

Antonyms

  • 空— empty (antonym to the 'containing' sense)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He carried a backpack (背囊) on his journey.
  • The cell has a nucleus (细胞核囊).
  • This is a capsule (胶囊) for medicine.
  • She manages all the household affairs (囊括家务).

Collocations

  • backpack(背囊)
  • capsule(胶囊)
  • pocket(囊袋)
  • bursa(黏液囊)
  • cyst(囊肿)
  • gallbladder(胆囊)

Idioms

  • Empty purse embarrasses intention(囊中羞涩)
  • To stick out like an awl in a bag(脱颖而出)
  • To draw a strategy from the bag(锦囊妙计)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Historically used for practical carrying containers like bags and pouches.
  • In traditional medicine and biology, refers to various sac-like organs and structures.
  • Appears in idioms related to strategy, poverty, and hidden talent.

FAQ