聞

Suggested translations: "to hear," "to detect," "learned/versed"

Mandarin: wén

Middle Chinese: mɪuən

The basic meaning of this verb is "to hear" and has a flexible range of uses like its English cognate. One peculiar use in Chinese is "to smell" or "detect" something (in a way other than seeing).

In Buddhist translation, 聞 renders words similar to Skt. śruta, and so it can also serve as an adj. meaning "learned," which derives from ancient times when one was educated by listening to lectures or recitations rather than reading. Thus, the compound 多聞 (Skt. bahu-śruta) when modifying a person usually means "well-versed" or "knowledgeable."