衔 xián rank
rank; title
How to remember 衔: 彳 step forward + 钅 gold + 亍 footstep = rank. The officer takes a step forward, the general pins a gold star on him, and every proud footstep back to the line shows his new rank.
Component breakdown
衔 = 彳 step forward + 钅 gold + 亍 footstep
- 彳 step forward
- 钅 gold
- 亍 footstep
The officer takes a step forward, the general pins a gold star on him, and every proud footstep back to the line shows his new rank.
How it is used
- Two jobs: 'rank/title' - 头衔 (tóuxián) a title, 军衔 (jūnxián) military rank; and 'to link/hold in the mouth' - 衔接 (xiánjiē) to connect/dovetail (two stages, roads, plans).
- Literal: a bird 衔泥 (holds mud in its beak). 衔接 stresses a smooth join where two things meet end-to-end.