满 from HSK Level 2 Vocabulary List

The Chinese character 满 (mǎn) is composed of two parts: the radical 氵(shuǐ), which represents water, and the phonetic component 冃 (màn), which is a simplified form of the character 蔓 (màn), meaning "to spread" or "to fill". The combination of these two components suggests the idea of "filling up" or "overflowing".In ancient Chinese, the character 满 was used to describe a state of fullness or abundance, both in a literal and figurative sense. For example, it could be used to describe a river overflowing its banks, a granary filled to the brim with grain, or a person's heart filled with joy. Over time, the meaning of the character expanded to include the ideas of "complete", "perfect", and "satisfactory".In modern Chinese, the character 满 is still used in all of these senses. It can also be used to refer to a specific quantity or amount, such as a full cup of water or a full moon. In addition, the character 满 is often used in idioms and proverbs to express various ideas and emotions. For example, the idiom 满载而归 (mǎn zǎi ér guī) means "to return home with a full load", and the proverb 满招损，谦受益 (mǎn zhāo sǔn, qiān shòu yì) means "arrogance brings loss, while modesty brings gain".Overall, the character 满 is a versatile and expressive character that can be used to convey a wide range of meanings and emotions. Its rich history and varied usage make it an essential character for HSK learners to master.