Meaning and Usage
The character 宽 (kuān) primarily means "wide" or "broad" when describing physical dimensions, such as roads, clothes, or spaces. It also conveys a figurative sense of "tolerance" or "generosity" when referring to a person's attitude or behavior.
Common Collocations
- 宽敞 (kuānchǎng): spacious, often used for rooms or areas.
- 宽容 (kuānróng): tolerant, forgiving, describing a generous attitude.
- 宽恕 (kuānshù): to forgive, used in formal or emotional contexts.
Usage Notes
When used to describe physical width, 宽 is often paired with nouns like 路 (road), 衣服 (clothes), or 房间 (room). In emotional or social contexts, 宽 appears in compounds like 宽容 and 宽恕, emphasizing kindness and forgiveness.
Avoid confusing 宽 with similar characters like 广 (guǎng), which also means "broad" but often refers to area or extent rather than width.
Register and Tone
The word 宽 is neutral in tone and appropriate in both formal and informal contexts. Its compounds like 宽容 and 宽恕 are more formal and often used in written or polite speech.