耿 gěng bright
bright; shining
How to remember 耿: 耳 ear + 火 fire = bright. Grandma cups her ear to hear the kids' stories by the camp fire, whose flames keep their faces bright.
Component breakdown
耿 = 耳 ear + 火 fire
- 耳 ear
- 火 fire
Grandma cups her ear to hear the kids' stories by the camp fire, whose flames keep their faces bright.
How it is used
- Now used for upright, forthright character - 耿直 (gěngzhí) frank and honest, someone who speaks their mind.
- Also 耿耿于怀 (gěnggěng-yúhuái) to brood over / take something to heart and not let it go. The literal "bright/shining" sense is mostly archaic.