Definition
熏 (xūn) means 'to smoke/fumigate' literally, and figuratively 'to influence or cultivate gradually, to edify.' Its figurative sense overlaps with 熏陶 (xūn táo, 'nurture through positive cultural exposure'), but 熏 is broader and can be neutral or less deliberate; 熏陶 always implies a refined, positive environment. Both are more gradual than 启迪 (qǐ dí 'enlighten'), which suggests a sudden insight.
verb
to smoketo fumigate (food, incense)(figurative) to influence or cultivate graduallyto edify
Easily confused
- 寻xúnsound-aliketo search, to look for, to seek
- 驯xùnsound-aliketo tame (an animal or one's temper)
- 训xùnsound-aliketo train, to drill (skills, often physically)
- 旬xúnsound-alike(classifier) ten-day period (one of three divisions of a month)
Examples
- 熏。Nǎinai yòng guìhuā xūn le zhè kuài ròu.Grandma smoked this piece of meat with osmanthus flowers.
- 。Hǎo xíguàn shì mànmàn xūntáo chūlái de.Good habits are gradually cultivated.
- 熏。Tā zài wòshì lǐ xūn le yì diǎn tánxiāng.He burned a little sandalwood incense in the bedroom.
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