How to Write 膺 (yīng) — Meaning “breast; chest; to bear”

Imagine a wild goose (雁) landing firmly on your chest (月) — you must bear its weight. The goose's body presses against your breast, reminding you that 膺 means 'chest' and 'to bear.'

Pay attention to the right side 雁: it has a factory-like top (厂) over two 'persons' (亻亻) and a short horizontal stroke, then a bird (隹) — do not confuse the left side as 月 with two horizontal lines instead of dots. The overall proportion is balanced, with the left radical slightly narrower than the right complex part.

膺 (yīng) means 'chest' or 'to bear,' while 朦 (méng) means 'dim' or 'obscure' and has a different right component (蒙), and 膘 (biāo) means 'fat' (of animals) and has a right component (票). Visually, 膺 has a complex right side with a bird (隹), whereas 朦 uses 蒙 (cover) and 膘 uses 票 (ticket).

This character appears in formal or literary expressions like 荣膺 (to be honored with) and 义愤填膺 (filled with righteous indignation). It is not common in daily conversation but is valued in written Chinese for its vivid imagery, especially in describing strong emotions felt in the chest.

Common words containing 膺 include: 荣膺 (róng yīng) — To be honored with; to be awarded; 义愤填膺 (yì fèn tián yīng) — Be filled with righteous indignation.; 拳拳服膺 (quán quán fú yīng) — to take to heart and follow faithfully.