niè

涅而不缁

Word · Noun · VerbTraditional涅

a black mineral; to dye black; abbreviation for Nirvana

Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma

Meanings

3 senses · 4 examples
1.

noun

a black mineral (historically used for dyeing)

archaic

Ancient term for a black alum-like mineral used as a pigment or dye. Used in classical texts.

Gǔ古
dài代
jiāng将
niè涅
yòng用
zuò作
hēi黑
sè色
rǎn染
liào料
 。

In ancient times, niè was used as a black dye.

2.

verb

to dye black; to stain black

literary

Used in classical Chinese and literary contexts to mean staining something black.

Bái白
shā沙
zài在
niè涅
 ，
yǔ与
zhī之
jù俱
hēi黑
 。

White sand in black dye will turn black along with it. (Proverb meaning one is influenced by one's environment.)

niè涅
miàn面

to tattoo the face (as a form of punishment or marking)

3.

noun

abbreviation for Nirvana (Nirvāṇa)

literary

Primarily used in Buddhist terminology and texts. The full term is 涅槃 (niè pán).

Zhèng证
dé得
niè涅
pán盘
shì是
fó佛
jiào教
xiū修
xíng行
de的
zuì最
zhōng终
mù目
biāo标
 。

Attaining Nirvana is the ultimate goal of Buddhist practice.