Definition
阖 is a formal or literary bound form with two main senses: 'whole/entire' (used attributively in set phrases like 阖家 'the whole family') and 'to close/shut' (a verb component in compounds like 阖眼 'close one's eyes' or 阖上 'shut'). As a bound form, it cannot stand alone as an independent verb; it always appears with a complement or in fixed expressions.
attr./b.f.
entirewhole (used before nouns in set expressions)to closeto shut (formal/literary, as a verb component in compounds)
Examples
- 阖！Zhù nín hé jiā huān lè!Wishing your whole family happiness!
- 阖。Tā qīngqīng hé shàng le shū.He gently closed the book.
- 阖，。Lǎorén hé shàng yǎnjīng, ānjìng de shuì le.The old man closed his eyes and fell asleep peacefully.
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