閏 (rùn) - Intercalary — refers to the insertion of extra & leap.

閏Tone 4

rùn ｜ 12 strokes ｜ radical:

儒三

閏 · rùn

Intercalary — refers to the insertion of extra days or months in a calendar to keep it synchronized with astronomical cycles;

leap.

Intercalary — refers to the insertion of extraleap.

Usage highlights

Leap monthLeap yearIntercalary dayIntercalation methodLeap weekIntercalary calculation

Synonyms

  • 闰余— Intercalary surplus (calendar term)

Antonyms

  • 平— Regular, common (as in 平年 - common year)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • A leap month is called an intercalary month (闰月).
  • The leap year system adjusts the calendar (闰年).
  • Ancient calendars used intercalation methods (闰法).
  • Some years have an extra intercalary day (闰日).

Collocations

  • Leap month(闰月)
  • Leap year(闰年)
  • Intercalary day(闰日)
  • Intercalation method(闰法)
  • Leap week(闰周)
  • Intercalary calculation(闰算)

Idioms

  • The intercalary month of the eighth month(闰八月)
  • Leap year calculation(闰年计算)
  • Three leap years in nineteen years(十九年七闰)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In traditional Chinese lunisolar calendar, intercalary months were inserted to align lunar months with solar year.
  • The character 閏 contains 王 (king) inside 門 (gate), symbolizing the king standing at the gate during intercalary rituals.
  • Intercalary months were considered inauspicious in some traditions, with restrictions on activities like weddings.

FAQ