荫 (yīn) - shade, shadow & to shelter, to protect

荫Tone 1

yīn ｜ 9 strokes ｜ radical:

懿嘤

荫 · yīn

shade, shadow;

to shelter, to protect;

(by extension) to benefit from ancestral influence or official favor

shade, shadowto shelter, to protect(by extension) to benefit from ancestral influence or

Usage highlights

shade of treesto shelter and protectto obtain official position through ancestral influenceshady and coolshade and coverdescendants benefiting from ancestors' merit

Synonyms

  • 阴— shade, shadow (more general)
  • 庇— to shelter, to protect
  • 护— to protect, to shield

Antonyms

  • 曝— to expose to sun
  • 晒— to sunbathe, to dry in sun

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The tree provides cool shade (树荫).
  • He grew up under the shadow of his father's achievements (荫庇).
  • This official position was obtained through ancestral influence (荫封).
  • The garden is shaded by large trees (荫蔽的花园).

Collocations

  • shade of trees(树荫)
  • to shelter and protect(荫庇)
  • to obtain official position through ancestral influence(荫封)
  • shady and cool(荫凉)
  • shade and cover(荫蔽)
  • descendants benefiting from ancestors' merit(祖荫)

Idioms

  • To shelter one's descendants(福荫子孙)
  • To enjoy the shade of one's ancestors(承荫祖德)
  • The shade of virtue is extensive(德荫广被)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In traditional Chinese culture, '荫' represents both physical shade and metaphorical protection or favor passed down through generations.
  • The concept of '荫封' was an important imperial system where officials' descendants could inherit positions or privileges.
  • The character embodies the Confucian ideal of family continuity and ancestral blessings affecting later generations.

FAQ