新闻

Etymology & Components

The Chinese word 新闻 (xīnwén) for "news" is a compound of two characters: 新 (xīn), meaning "new," and 闻 (wén), meaning "to hear." The word 新闻 literally means "new things that are heard," which is a fitting description for news.The character 新 (xīn) has a long history in Chinese, dating back to the oracle bone script of the Shang dynasty (c. 1600–1046 BCE). The original form of the character depicted a blade of grass sprouting from the ground, symbolizing new growth and beginnings. Over time, the character evolved into its current form, which is still used today.The character 闻 (wén) also has a long history in Chinese, dating back to the oracle bone script of the Shang dynasty. The original form of the character depicted an ear, symbolizing the act of hearing. Over time, the character evolved into its current form, which is still used today.The compound word 新闻 (xīnwén) first appeared in the Chinese language during the Qing dynasty (1644–1912). It quickly became the standard word for "news" and is still used today.