dailycharacter

(please click 'back' on your browser)

Picture
Pronunciation: néng
Meaningcan/to be able to, capability/skill, energy
Etymology:
Ancient meaning of character was 'a bear': four claws resembling daggers 匕 and meat 肉 in its mouth.  (associative compound).
The animal is now written 熊.

Traditional character: 能 (the same)

Found in:
Bai JuYi's 问刘十九
Li Bai's 宿五松山荀媪家

Word of the day on: 03.28.08