暖

• Pinyin: nuǎn
• Hanzi breakdown: 暖 = 日 (sun) + 爰 (phonetic), warmth from sunlight

Meaning

Warm; to warm. Describing moderate heat or the action of warming something.

Can be an adjective (温暖 warm, 暖和 warm and comfortable) or a verb (暖手 warm one's hands). Also used figuratively: 暖心 (heartwarming), 暖男 (a caring, gentle man). Related: 暖气 (heating), 暖色 (warm colors).

Examples

1. 春天来了，天气渐渐暖和起来了。 Spring has come, and the weather is gradually getting warmer.
2. 这杯热茶可以暖暖身子。 This cup of hot tea can warm you up.
3. 他的话让我心里感到很温暖。 His words made my heart feel very warm.

Usage Guide

Context: weather, emotions, comfort

Tone: warm

Do Say

• 这件毛衣很暖和。(This sweater is very warm.)
• 先喝杯热水暖暖胃。(First drink some hot water to warm your stomach.)

Don't Say

• 今天很暖。(Sounds incomplete — say 今天很暖和 for weather; 暖 alone needs a complement)

Origin & History

Pictophonetic character: 日 (sun) provides meaning, 爰 provides sound. Warmth from the sun.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal