殷 yīn many
many; great
How to remember 殷: 㐆 round belly + 殳 weapon = many. After the feast, uncle pats his round belly while the kids swing toy weapons at the piñata, and out fall sweets, so many that nobody can count them.
Component breakdown
会意 · Meaning + meaning
Two or more parts whose meanings together make the new meaning.
殷 = 㐆 round belly + 殳 weapon
- 㐆 round belly meaning
- 殳 weapon meaning
After the feast, uncle pats his round belly while the kids swing toy weapons at the piñata, and out fall sweets, so many that nobody can count them.
How it came to be
The oldest form shows a hand aiming something at a person's swollen belly.
How it is used
- Earnest, ample, warm-hearted: 殷勤 (yīnqín), attentively hospitable/eager to please: 殷勤招待 (yīnqín zhāodài) to wait on someone attentively (sometimes with a hint of trying too hard).
- 殷切 (yīnqiè) means ardent/earnest (hopes). Also the Yin (Shang) dynasty.