含

• Pinyin: hán
• Hanzi breakdown: 含 = 今 (now, phonetic) + 口 (mouth) — holding something inside the mouth

Meaning

To contain; to hold in the mouth; to include. Describes holding something inside, whether physically in the mouth or abstractly as content within something.

Has two main usages: (1) physically holding something in the mouth, as in 含着糖 (holding a candy in the mouth); (2) to contain or include, as in 含有维生素 (contains vitamins). Also used figuratively in 含义 (meaning/implication) and 含糊 (vague/ambiguous). Common in food science and nutrition contexts.

Examples

1. 这种水果含有丰富的维生素C。 This type of fruit is rich in vitamin C.
2. 她含着眼泪跟大家说了再见。 She said goodbye to everyone with tears in her eyes.
3. 这句话含着很深的意思。 This sentence contains a very deep meaning.

Usage Guide

Context: science, food, literature

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 这种饮料含有咖啡因。(This drink contains caffeine.)
• 她含着微笑看着孩子。(She watched the child with a smile on her lips.)

Don't Say

• 这个房间含三个人 (Don't use 含 for people in a room — use 有 or 容纳; 含 is for substances, emotions, or things held within)

Origin & History

Ancient character showing a mouth (口) beneath the 今 (now) component, originally depicting the act of holding something in the mouth.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal