含义 (hányì) — meaning, connotation

含义 (hányì)

含义 refers to the meaning or significance that is contained within or implied by a word, phrase, action, or symbol — often with a sense of depth or layers not immediately obvious. It is slightly more abstract and literary than 意思 and tends to appear in critical analysis, literary commentary, and philosophical writing.

Meanings

1. [n] meaning, sense, significance (especially implicit or layered)
2. [n] connotation, implication (what something suggests beyond its surface)

Example Sentences

这首诗的含义深刻，需要结合作者的历史背景才能充分理解。 Zhè shǒu shī de hányì shēnkè, xūyào jiéhé zuòzhě de lìshǐ bèijǐng cái néng chōngfèn lǐjiě. The meaning of this poem is profound; it can only be fully understood in the context of the author's historical background.

"自由"一词在不同政治语境中具有截然不同的含义。 "Zìyóu" yī cí zài bùtóng zhèngzhì yǔjìng zhōng jùyǒu jiérán bùtóng de hányì. The word "freedom" carries entirely different meanings in different political contexts.

他的沉默本身就包含着丰富的含义。 Tā de chénmò běnshēn jiù bāohán zhe fēngfù de hányì. His silence itself carries rich meaning.

分析文学作品时，我们既要理解字面含义，也要把握深层含义。 Fēnxī wénxué zuòpǐn shí, wǒmen jì yào lǐjiě zìmiàn hányì, yě yào bǎwò shēncéng hányì. When analyzing literary works, we must understand both the literal meaning and the deeper meaning.

这项政策调整的含义在于政府正悄然转变其经济治理思路。 Zhè xiàng zhèngcè tiáozhěng de hányì zàiyú zhèngfǔ zhèng qiāorán zhuǎnbiàn qí jīngjì zhìlǐ sīlù. The significance of this policy adjustment lies in the government's quiet shift in its economic governance approach.

哲学家们长期争论"存在"这一概念的真正含义。 Zhéxuéjiāmen chángqī zhēnglùn "cúnzài" zhè yī gàiniàn de zhēnzhèng hányì. Philosophers have long debated the true meaning of the concept of "existence."

Collocations

Usage Notes

含义 (hányì) and 内涵 (nèihán) are close synonyms, but 含义 tends to refer to specific meanings of words or acts, while 内涵 suggests the full range of inherent connotations or qualities. 含义 also differs from 意义 (yìyì, significance/importance): 意义 stresses importance or value, while 含义 stresses what is implied or encoded. In literary and rhetorical analysis, 含义 often pairs with 丰富 (rich), 深刻 (profound), or 复杂 (complex).

Memory Hook

含 means "to contain" — 含义 is the meaning contained inside a word or gesture, like a hidden message within a sealed envelope.