馨 xīn fragrant
fragrant; aromatic
How to remember 馨: 殸 stone chime + 香 fragrant = fragrant. In the temple, the monk strikes the stone chime, lights fragrant incense, and soon even the visitors' coats are fragrant.
Component breakdown
馨 = 殸 stone chime + 香 fragrant
- 殸 stone chime
- 香 fragrant
- 禾 grain
- 日 sun
In the temple, the monk strikes the stone chime, lights fragrant incense, and soon even the visitors' coats are fragrant.
How it is used
- Literary character for a warm, lingering fragrance; in modern use it is essentially fused into 温馨 (wēnxīn) warm and cozy - 温馨的家 (wēnxīn de jiā) a warm, loving home.
- Note the shift: alone it's a smell, but in 温馨 it describes emotional warmth (of a home, atmosphere, gesture), not literal scent.
- Also a favorite in given names for its elegant, sweet feel.