涵 (hán) - To contain & to include

涵Tone 2

hán ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

枫惠

涵 · hán

To contain;

to include;

to tolerate;

to immerse;

deep;

profound;

culvert (as in water passage).

To containto includeto tolerate

Usage highlights

ConnotationCultivation/toleranceCulvertBridge and culvertTo contain/includeSea包容

Synonyms

  • 容— to contain; to tolerate
  • 包— to include; to contain
  • 纳— to receive; to accept

Antonyms

  • 排— to exclude; to reject
  • 斥— to repel; to exclude

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • This book contains profound knowledge (内涵).
  • We should cultivate tolerance (涵养).
  • The bridge has several culverts (桥涵).
  • He has a profound and cultivated demeanor (涵养深厚).

Collocations

  • Connotation(内涵)
  • Cultivation/tolerance(涵养)
  • Culvert(涵洞)
  • Bridge and culvert(桥涵)
  • To contain/include(包含)
  • sea's capacity to hold - metaphor for tolerance(Sea包容)

Idioms

  • Broad-minded and tolerant(海涵)
  • Profound and extensive knowledge(博涵)
  • Deep and profound(深涵)
  • To contain everything(包涵万象)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Confucian philosophy, 涵养 refers to self-cultivation and the development of moral character through introspection and restraint.
  • The character combines water (氵) with 函 (container), suggesting the quality of containing or holding like water.
  • Often used in names to express the wish for a person to be tolerant, profound, and well-cultivated.

FAQ