The way of Chinese characters : the origins of 670 essential words 9781622910465, 9780887275272, 2007062006

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9007 0535 0679 6

The WAY ^/CHINESE CHARACTERS 漢字之道 The ORIGINS o f 670 ESSENTIAL WORDS

S E C O N D E D IT IO N

J I A N H S I N WU I L L U S T R A T E D BY C H E N Z H E N G AN D C H E N T I AN

C H E N G & TSUI BOSTON

Copyright © 2016 by Cheng & Tsui Company, Inc. Second Edition All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, scanning, or any information storage or retrieval system, without written permission from the publisher. 23 22 21 19 18 17 16 15

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

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Published by Cheng & Tsui Company, Inc. 25 West Street Boston, MA 02111-1213 USA Fax (617) 426-3669 www.cheng-tsui.com “Bringing Asia to the World”™ ISBN 97 8-1-62291-046-5 Illustrated by Chen Zheng and Chen Tian

The Library of Congress has cataloged the first edition as follows: Wu, Jian-hsin. The Way of Chinese characters : the origins of 400 essential words = [Han zi zhi dao] / by Jianhsin Wu ; illustrations by Chen Zheng and Chen Tian. p. cm. Parallel title in Chinese characters. ISBN 97 8-0-88727-527-2 1. Chinese characters. 2. Chinese language- - Writing. I. Title. II. Title: Han zi zhi dao. PL1171.W74 2007 808,.04951— dc22 2007062006

Printed in the United States of America Photo Credits front cover ©Fotohunter/ShutterStock

CONTENTS Preface

v

Basic Radicals

1

N um erals

17

C haracters by Pinyin (A-Z) A-F

21

G-K

65

L-R

106

S -W

143

X-Z

180

Indexes CHARACTER INDEX by Integrated Chinese Lesson

227

CHARACTER INDEX by Pinyin

239

CHARACTER INDEX ： TRADITIONAL by Stroke Count

251

CHARACTER INDEX ：SIMPLIFIED by Stroke Count

263

ABOUT ^ AUTHOR JIANHSIN wu received her Ph.D from the Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures at University of Wisconsin, Madison. A professor of Chinese at Pomona College since 1990, she concentrates her research on etymology, the pedagogy of teaching Chinese to heritage students, classical Chinese novels, and modern Chinese poetry.

iv

The Way o f C hinese Characters

PREFACE Mastering characters is often the most challenging task for learners of Chinese. Unlike an alphabetical language with a writing system composed of a limited number of letters, the Chinese writing system is built upon about 200 radicals, which are the most basic components of Chinese characters. (Radicals, along with stroke counts, also provide the organizing principle for Chinese dictionaries.) Although there are over 50,000 Chinese characters, 2,500 characters are required for basic literacy. Furthermore, the prommciation of a particular character does not necessarily relate to its meaning. The sheer number of Chinese characters, in addition to the frequent lack of visual pronunciation guides, makes character memorization a significant challenge for many. Paradoxically, this complexity is precisely what draws many people to learn Chinese. The presence of pictographic elements in Chinese characters is one of the unique and fascinating aspects of the language. Most radicals, for example, are pictographs, or visual representations of objects or concepts. Given a pictograph, learners can turn the character into a vivid picture, or associate the character with a shape, color, sound, smell, feeling, emotion, movement, or action. W hen using this method of employing pictographs as memory aids, students will find that learning Chinese characters can be enjoyable, and can provide valuable insight into Chinese culture. We believe that each and every Chinese character is a crystallization of the wisdom and creativity of our ancient Chinese ancestors. W hen given the logical and historical origins of each character, as described in this book, learners can also remember characters in an efficient and intelligent manner, rather than mechanically reproducing strokes that may seem meaningless to them. Students can also acquire knowledge of Chinese history and culture while learning the origins and evolution of char­ acters, as their pictographic features often reflect vivid aspects of ancient life, such as agricultural and domestic life, war, trade materials, crafts, rituals, etc. After studying The Way o f Chinese Characters, learners will understand pictographic forms, interpret the logic behind the meanings of characters, and know something about the ancient forms of the most commonly occurring characters.

WHAT'S NEW IN TH E S E C O N D EDITION? The second edition of The Way of Chinese Characters includes over 220 more characters than the first edition. It now covers all the characters in both Part 1 and Part 2 of Integrated Chinese Level 1. The book has also been redesigned to be easier to read and carry, and reordered alphabetically by pinyin to make it easier to find characters. New example words and phrases have been added to each entry to help students learn how each character is used.

The W ay o f C hinese Character

S E L E C T I O N AND P R E S E N T A T IO N OF C H A R A C T E R S The 670 characters included in this book are frequently used in modern Chinese, and cover all the characters in the glossary of Integrated Chinese, Level 1, Part 1 and Level 1, Part 2 (by Yuehua Liu, Tao-chung Yao, et. al.), the Chinese textbook most widely used at schools across the United States. Explanations are given in both English and Chinese. The English entries are meant for beginning and intermediate students, while the Chinese entries may serve as references for teachers and advanced learners. For each entry, we display the character in its various ancient scripts (see Types of Script below), and we include each character s classification, which indicates how the character was constructed (see Types of Characters below). Most characters have illustrations that help readers instantly connect the characters* pictographic elements to their meanings, both ancient and modern. Some characters are not accompanied by illustrations. Many of these are pictophonetic characters that have developed meanings largely unrelated to their visual aspects. Also included are four indexes, organized alphabetically by pinyin, by Integrated Chinese lesson, and by stroke count (of both traditional and simplified characters), respectively. We hope all readers will find these indexes convenient and practical.

T Y P E S OF S C R I P T K E Y T O S C R IP T T Y P E S SYMBOL

SCRIPT

甲

Oracle-Bone Inscriptions

金

Bronze Inscriptions

EXAMPLES (報）

IK

SYMBOL

SCRIPT

篆

Seal Script

草

Cursive Script

EXAMPLES (報）

k

The characters in The Way o f Chinese Characters are written in KRegular Script** (or traditional charac­ ters) and simplified characters. Regular Script can be traced to the late Han Dynasty (207 B.C.-220 A .D .)

and is still used in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and many overseas Chinese communities. Simplified

characters were introduced and promoted by the government of the People s Republic of China in the 1950s, and have since remained the standard in mainland China. In this book we focus on Regular Script, or traditional form, because we have found that it is often difficult for beginning learners to appreciate the visual flavor of simplified Chinese characters. We present the ancient forms of the characters and provide illustrations, so that students can identify characters， original pictographic traits. We hope that with such imagery in mind, students will have a much easier time remembering Chinese characters. This book also introduces other forms of Chinese script including “Oracle-Bone Inscriptions 甲骨文 “Bronze Inscriptions 金 文 “Seal Script 篆 文 and “Cursive Script 草 書 “Oracle-Bone Inscriptions”

vi

The W ay o f C hinese Characters

come from carvings on ox bones or tortoise shells, which were used during the Shang Dynasty (ca. 1600-ca. 1100 B.c.) to record events and devise predictions. “Bronze Inscriptions” are found on bronze vessels of the Shang and Zhou Dynasties (Zhou Dynasty: ca. 1100-ca. 221 B.C.). “Seal Script” includes both “Big Seal Script” and “Small Seal Script.” The former was used in the Q_in State during the Eastern Zhou Dynasty (ca. 770-ca. 221 b.c .) and the latter became official in the Qin Dynasty (221-207 B.C.). As an abbreviated form of traditional Chinese characters, “Cursive Script” originates from the Han Dynasty (207 B.c.-220 A.D.). These characters are written swiftly such that the strokes flow together, and were thus considered an artistic form of Chinese calligraphy. Many of the simpli­ fied characters used in mainland China today were born out of this cursive style. In the book, we display each character in its various forms：Oracle-Bone Inscriptions, Bronze Inscrip­ tions, and Seal Script, alongside Regular Script and simplified forms. You will notice that some char­ acters are without ancient forms, however, such as Ml (ta, she),

(nin, polite form of the pronoun

you), and P$(pf, beer), as these were created in later periods. Cursive Script is also shown for those simplified characters which were derived from the cursive style.

T Y P E S OF C H A R A C T E R S Chinese characters are constructed difFerently from alphabetic languages. According to the Han dynasty scholar Xu Shen, in his Analysis and Explanation o f Characters, they can be divided into six basic categories: pictographs (象形) , explicit characters (f旨事)， associative compounds (會意) , pictophonetic characters ( ^ S ) , mutually explanatory characters (W ft), and phonetic loan characters (假借)• Pictographs delineate the shape of certain objects or their parts. Examples include: Tfc (mu, wood; tree), 刀 (d5o, knife), 女 (nfi, woman), and 馬 (mi, horse). Although such characters are relatively easy to identify, the limitation of this particular category is that pictographs cannot convey more abstract meanings. Explicit characters are simple diagrammatic indications of abstract ideas, such as _h (shang, above), or T (xia, below). Others are formed with the addition of a symbol to an existing pictograph, such as (ben, root; basic), or 37] (ren, edge). Explicit characters constructed via this method comprise only a small proportion of all Chinese characters. The meanings of associative compound characters are derived from their components, which may combine two or more ideographs. Examples include 0^ (mfng, bright, the combination of 0 ri, sun and 月yue, moon), and 森 (sen, forest, the combination of three trees $ mCj).

The majority of Chinese characters are pictophonetic, which combine semantic and phonetic com­ ponents. For instance, the character ® (ma, mother) consists of

(nu, female) and M (ma, horse).

suggests the general meaning of the character while ^ signals its pronunciation. According to Xu Shen, mutually explanatory (or synonymous) characters refer to those that are of the same or similar meanings, and thus can be used to define one another, e.g., ^ (lao, old; aged) and

The W ay o f C hinese Characters

vii

^ (kao, aged; long life; test). However, the exact meaning of this category is ambiguous. Some con­ temporary scholars consider that the characters in this category actually refer to those later invented characters for recovering their original meanings. A common way to make this type of character is to add radicals or other components to the original characters. The character

(she, snake) is an

example from this category. The character ^ (ta) was a pictograph of a cobra-like snake and originally meant “snake”. Later 它 was borrowed to mean “other,” ‘‘it,” etc., and these meanings overwhelmed its original meaning. Therefore, a worm radical 虫 was added to the left of 它 to make a new character 蛇. Phonetic loan characters refer to those that originally had no written form, and so borrowed existing characters of the same or similar pronunciation. For example, the character ^ resembles a weapon with a saw-toothed blade and long shaft, and originally referred to a kind of ancient weapon. Because the pronunciation of this character is similar to that of the pronoun “I,” 我 was borrowed to mean “I” u

n

or me.

USING TH IS BO O K AS A T E A C H IN G T O O L This book is the result of a serious, meticulous, and extensive study of the origins of Chinese charac­ ters. Many of the books currently on the market on this topic offer learners imaginative, yet inaccurate pictorial representations of characters. While imagination can help learners remember Chinese char­ acters, such historically groundless explanations may misinform them. This books academic, accurate, and straightforward explanations allow learners to study Chinese characters thoughtfully, but with­ out the risk of becoming overwhelmed by overly detailed information on origin and evolution. It is our belief that this book will provide teachers with a new, efficient, interesting, and scholarly way to teach Chinese characters to learners of Chinese, as well as learners of Japanese and Korean, whose writing systems employ Chinese characters. The characters in this edition have been organized by pinyin for easy and universal reference, with separate sections for some Basic Radicals and numerals. New students of Chinese should first famil­ iarize themselves with these radicals and numerals, as they will make learning more complex characters easier. Multiple indexes have been provided to help students and teachers look up specific characters.

USING TH IS BO O K WITH INTEGRATED CHINESE The Way o f Chinese Characters contains all the characters taught in Integrated Chinese Level 1 Part 1 and Level 1 Part 2. Students of Integrated Chinese should use the wCharacter Index by Integrated Chinese Lesson5>to easily find each character grouped by lesson as they proceed through the course. It is our expectation that this book will benefit all learners of Chinese characters, especially those who have difficulty memorizing numerous characters. In short, we hope that reading The Way of Chinese Characters helps learners overcome the obstacles to memorizing Chinese characters in an academically sound and creatively engaging way.

Jianhsin Wu viii

The Way o f C hinese Characters

BIBLIOGRAPHY Gu,Yankui 谷 衍 奎 , ed. /VaA?z/yL/an//i/z/d/az?《 漢 字 源 流 字 典 》 •Beijing: Huaxia chubanshe, 2003. Hanyu dazidian bianji weiyuanhui漢 語 大 字 典 編 輯 委 員 會 ， ed. Hanyu dac/d/ar? 《 漢 語 大 字 典 》 . Chengdu： Sichuan cishu chubanshe & Hubei cishu chubanshe, 1993. Jiang, Lansheng 江 藍 生 and Zunwu Lu 陸 尊 梧 , eds. •7/an/)i/az//ant/z/di//z/?ao z/d/ar? 《 簡 化 字 繁 體 字 對 照 字 典 》 . Shanghai: Hanyu dacidian chubanshe, 2〇 〇 4. Jiang, Shanguo 蔣 善 國 . f/anz/xi/e 《 漢 字 學 》 •Shanghai: Shanghai jiaoyu chubanshe, 1987. Liu, Yuehua 劉 月 華 and Yao,Tao-chung 姚 道 中 ， et. al. //iterated CW /iese 《 中 文 聽 説 讀 寫 》 ， Leve/i, Part iTextbook. 3rd ed. Boston： Cheng & Tsui Company, 2009. Liu, Yuehua 劉 月 華 and Yao,Tao-chung 姚 道 中 ， et. al. /ntegratec/CWnese《 中 文 聽 説 讀 寫 》 ， Z_e\/e/i, Part2Textbook. 3rd ed. Boston： Cheng &Tsui Company, 2009. Rong; Geng

ed. Jinwen b ia n 《金 文 編 》 •Bdjing: Zhonghua shuju, 1985.

Shi, Dingguo 史 定 風 etal., edsJ/a/?/7(；az/yany/i;《 簡 化 字 研 究 》 . Beijing: Shangwuyinshuguan, 2004. Wan, Zhiwen 宛 志 文 , etal., eds. Gt(/7n/7aA7yL/c/7aDgyon々 z/d/ar7 《 古 今 漢 語 常 用 字 典 》 .Wuhan: Hubei renmin chubanshe, 2002. Weng, Zhifei 翁 志 飛 ， et al., eds. X/nb/ar? caosto z/d/az? 《 新 編草書 字 典 》 ■ Hangzhou: Zhejiang guji chubanshe, 2005. Xie, Guanghui 謝 光 輝 ， et aL, eds. AVanyL/z/y^a/i z/d/an 《 漢 語 字 源 字 典 》 . Beijing: Beijing daxue chubanshe, 2002. Xu, Shen [漢 ] 許 慎 . S/ji/oweny/ez/《 說 文 解 字 》 ■ Beijing: Zhonghua shuju, 1978. Xu; Shen. Preface to Analysis and Explanation of Characters \r\ Zang; Kehe ed. Shuowen jiezixinding 《 說 文 角 军 字 新 訂 》 ■ Beijing: Zhonghua shuju, 2002.

and Ping Wang I T ,

Xu, Zhongshu 徐 中 舒 , et al., eds. HanyL/5twe/7z/z/x/V?56/ a o 《 漢 語 古 文 字 字 形 表 》 . Chengdu： Sichuan renmin chubanshe, 1981. Xu, Zhongshu 徐 中 舒 ， et al., eds. 力 •aww/en z/d/an 《 甲 骨 文 字 典 》 •Chengdu: Sichuan cishu chubanshe; 1998. Zhang, Shuyan 張 書 岩 , etal., eds. J/a/?/?i/az/sc/yt/an《 簡 化 字 溯 源 》 . Beijing: Yuwen chubanshe, 2005.

The W ay o f Chinese Characters

IX

BASIC RADICALS r a d ic a ls

are components o f Chinese characters which often indicate the characters meaning. They

are useful to know not only because they can provide clues to the meanings of characters, but also because many Chinese dictionaries are organized by radicals. Most radicals are common characters (often pictographs) and can be used on their own in addition to being components in more complicated characters like associative compounds and pictophonetic characters. W hen used as components, radicals may appear in variant forms. For example,心 (heart) may appear as 心 or 个 in compound characters. See the wTypes of Script** section on page vi of the Preface for more information about the different scripts.

人

pictog raph In the Oracle-Bone and Bronze Inscriptions, the character A presents the profile of

人 象 形 。 甲骨文、金文 像人側立之形。

a person with a head, an arched back, arms and legs, possibly indicating a figure from an early stage of human evolution. In Regular Script,

A

looks like someone

with two rather long legs. As a radical, A often appears as 彳 ， and is often used in characters related to human beings and their activities, e.g.， 你（ nT， you), 他 （ ta ， he; h im ), 住 (zhCi， to live)， and 休 (xiQ, to rest).

人民 renmfn the people keren visitor； guest; customer

pictog raph

人們 renmen people ； the public 病人 bingren sick person ； patient

In ancient writing systems, the character

ZI resembles a knife, with the upper part as the handle and the lower part as the edge. In Regular Script, the handle is shortened so that it becomes almost

刀 象 形 。像 刀 形 。上像 刀 柄 ，下像刀刃及刀背。

unnoticeable. Characters with the knife radical U usually have something to do with knives or cutting, such as 別 （ bi4, to separate), 朿lj (cl， to stab), and 利 (I I, sharp).

刀子 daozi knife jiandao scissors The W ay o f Chinese Characters

刀刃 daoren knife blade 開刀 kaidao to perform or have an operation

1

pictograph

In both the Oracle-Bone and Bronze

Inscriptions, the character

力

resembles an ancient

plow, with the upper part as the handle and the lower part as the plowshare. Since plowing requires great

力 象 形 。 甲骨文、金文 均 像 耕 田 用 具 。因耕田 要 有 力 ，引申為力氣。

physical strength , 力 means “strength.” In Regular Script,力 is similar in form to 刀 (d 吾 〇, knife) except that its top sticks out.

liqi strength

篆 尔

精力 jTngl] energy

pictograph

會这力 nengli capability; ability 有力 youII strong; powerful; vigorous

In its ancient form, the character X was

shaped like a right hand, meaning “right hand.” Today

又

又 is used to mean “again,” “also,” “in addition,” “both... ^nd.“ ，etc.

甲 、 金 气 篆 、

又及 y6ujf P.S.; postscript 又 … 又 … y〇u... you... both... and...

又 象 形 。 甲骨文像右手 形。

又名 youming a.k.a.; alternative name

p i c t o g r a p h The character 口 looks like an open mouth. Characters with the mouth radical are often

口 象 形 。像人口 形 狀 。

associated with the movement of the mouth, e.g., ^ (chT, to eat),喝 (h€, to drink ),卩昌(ch&ng, to sing), and

口 1•) (ji奂 〇, to shout).

kou m outh; entrance

甲 t ) 金 U 2

篆

口紅 kduh6ng lipstick PI 口 menkdu doorway

口語 k6uyO spoken language; vernacular language A P renkou population The Way o f C hinese Characters

P represents the periphery or border of

the radical P , such as

wei

□ 象 形 。像 環圍形。從 口的字多有外圍或邊界。

r-

s

(guo, country; state), 園/园 （yu含 n， garden; park), 圖/ 图 （ tCi， map). Note that P is larger than the radical P (kou, mouth), indicating

刀>Dln>

pictog raph

an area. Characters relating to boundaries often include

a large area that can contain many objects.

enclose

篆 □

o-

形 “一

方 。

while the bottom line stands for the ground. In Regular

象一

In the Oracle-Bone Inscriptions, the

土下地

picto g ra ph

upper part of ih represents a small hill or mound of soil,

像一土塊狀， ”字意指大

Script, a cross replaces the mound.

tu earth; soil

甲 0

金

i

篆土

土地 tOd】land; soil 土氣 tdqj rustic; unsophisticated

pictog raph

國土 guotu country s territory; national land 土見 tudou potato

In its ancient forms, the character 夕

resembles a half moon, meaning “sunset,” “dusk,” “evening,” or “night.” Sometimes the moon can be seen rising from the east at dusk.

夕 象 形 。像 半個月亮， 傍 晚 或 夜晚之意。

xl

sunset; evening

甲 厶 金 P The W ay o f Chinese Characters

篆

夕陽 xlyang sunset; the setting su 除夕 ch0xT lunar New Year’s Eve

前夕 qianxl eve； the day before 朝夕 zhaoxl morning and night; all the time

3

pictograph

In the ancient writing systems, the

大 象 形 。像 正 面 人 形 。 天地萬物中以人為大為 貴 ，故用人 形 來 表 示 大 。

character 大 portrays a figure standing with arms stretching out and legs spread apart. This posture seems to suggest that humans are the greatest creatures on earth. The primary meanings of X are abig,” M large,” great, age, and older.

大人 daren adult; grown-up ~)\M> dajia all； everyone

甲

pictograph

daxue college; university

長 大 zhingd 备grow up

In the Oracle-Bone Inscriptions, the

character depicts a woman kneeling with her arms lowered and hands clasped on her lap, reflecting the

女 象 形 。 甲骨文像女子 俯 首 ，雙臂交叉下跪形。

lower social status of women in ancient times. In later forms, the kneeling component is transformed as

p i c t o g r a p h In its ancient form, the character 子 shows a baby swaddled in cloth, with its head sticking

up and arms stretching out. In Regular Script, the head of the baby is represented by a horizontal hook instead

子 象 形 。像 頭 部 突 出 、 手 臂 在 外 、裹在襁褓中 的嬰 兒 。

of a round shape•子 is used as suffix after some nouns,

P

4

會

such as 桌子， 椅 子 etc.

baby; child

Q

Q

甲 丈 金 7

篆力

孩子 hdizi child

房子 f^ngzi

house; building

兒子 erzi son jiaozi dumpling; pot-sticker The Way o f C hinese Characters

e x p l i c i t c h a r a c t e r In Seal Script， 寸 combines 又 with —■•又means “right hand” while — indicates the

寸 指 事 。從又，從 一。 “又”為右手， “一”指手後一寸之處。 中醫所言寸口。

section of the forearm one inch from the wrist, where a traditional Chinese doctor would feel a patient s pulse and diagnose ailments.

cun inch

尺寸 chTcun size; dimension; measurement 寸口 cunkou a person’s pulse on the wrist 寸步難行 cCinbCi n 垚 nxfng unable to move a single step (idiom)

In the Oracle-Bone and Bronze Inscriptions, the character 小 consists of three

a ss o c ia tiv e compound

dots, like three tiny grains of sand. In its later forms, 7JN resembles a knife (represented by the vertical hook in the middle) cutting something into two smaller pieces.

xiao X-

small

| 甲

小 會 意 。甲骨文及金文 作三點，像細小的沙粒 形，表示微小的意思。

l l

金

f M

jlr 小孩兒 xi含 oh含 ir child;kid;kiddy 篆 爪 小 時 候 xiSo shfhou in one’s childhood

picto g ra ph

xiaoxue elementary/primary school

小姐 xi5ojie Miss; young lady

In the ancient writing systems, the

character X looks like a carpenter s square or ruler. The original meaning o f 工 was “tool,” from which derived

工 象 形 。像工匠用的曲 尺。

the meanings “work,” “labor,” “skill,” “craftsmanship,” and “construction project.”

gong

r

)

tool; work; labor

11ii In

甲 工 金 I The Way o f Chinese Characters

篆I

工具 gongju tool 工作 gongzuo to work ； job

工人 gongren worker 工程 g 6 ngcheng engineering; engineering project

5

pictograph

In

the

Oracle-Bone

and

Bronze

Inscriptions, the character ^ represents a wisp of silk. Since a wisp is a small quantity, ^ extends to mean small, tiny, or youngest.

幺 yao tiny; small

幺 象 形 。像一小把 細 丝 。 甲骨文幺、糸 (m i ) 、 絲为同源字。 糸、絲都像絲束形，不 问的是糸為一'束絲， 絲 為 兩 束 絲 。系 ( x i ) 字在 甲骨文中為一隻手握兩 束絲。

% yao one (spoken form when spelling out numbers, esp. on telephone) 老 么 I含oy吾 o youngest

pictograph

In the Oracle-Bone Inscriptions, the

character 弓 resembles an entire bow. In the Bronze Inscription form , 弓 depicts a bow without its string, which is how a bow should be stored. Just like human

弓 象 形 。甲骨文像有弓 弦弓背的完整弓形。金 文簡化。

beings, bows need time for relaxation!

弓箭 gongji垚 n bowandarrow

pictog raph

心

弓單弓 dan’gOng catapult； slingshot

In its ancient forms, the character

心 象 形 。像 人 的 心 臟 。

represents a heart. There are two forms of the heart radical,心 and 个•心 is usually positioned at the bottom of a character as in 想 (xi犮ng， to think) and 愁 (ch6u， to worry), while J\ is on the left, as in '\tl (mang, busy) and

xln

怕 (p 含 ，fear). Characters with heart radicals are often

heart

associated with feelings or other mental activities.

甲 9 6

金

篆

父

心理 xTnIT psychology; mentality 擔 ' 已、 danxln worry ； to be anxious

關^已 、 guanxln care for; be concerned with 心、 ,倩 xTnqfng mood; state of mind The Way o f C hinese Characters

The dagger-axe 戈 is a weapon from the

Inscriptions, the character

is used as

a component of many characters, such as 5c (wo, I), 國/ 国 （ gu6, nation), and 錢 / 钱 （ qidn, money).

dagger-axe

甲 士 金 $

篆

干戈 gan’ge weapons of war; arms f到戈 daoge to change sides in a war; turncoat 大動干戈 daddng gan’ge to go to war; to make a big fuss over something

p i c t o g r a p h In its ancient forms, 4 1 is the front view of an ox head. Its primary meaning is “ox,” “cow,” or

wbull,,>but due to the way the Chinese think of an ox, it has been extended to mean “stubborn,” “headstrong,” “capable,” “arrogant,” and “to boast.”

mu cow; ox

甲 T

r-

delineates such a weapon

with a long shaft and a blade at the end.

ge

戈 象 形 。戈是古代常用 的一種長柄橫刃的兵器。

金 十 篆

牛肉 ni0r6u beef 放牛 f^ngniO grazing cattle

pictog raph

牛 象 形 。 甲骨文像正面 有腳的牛頭形狀。本義 為 牛 ，引申義有固執、 倔 強 、高 傲 、有 本 領 、 吹 牛 、説大話等這些在 人看來與牛的特性有關 聯的詞語。

牛奶 niCinSi milk 吹牛 chuTnid to brag

The ancient form of the character 手 looks

like an outspread hand, with five fingers comprising the upper part, and the forearm below. Characters with the

手 象 形 。像五指伸開的 手掌。

hand radical ^ are often related to acts performed with the hands, e.g., f j (da, to beat), f t (tul, to push), and

W： (ca, to wipe).

hand

金

篆

The Way o f Chinese Characters

握手 wdshdu shake hands 手錶 shdubi含o watch

F R>Dln> s

pictog raph

Shang (ca.1600-C.1100 B.c.) and Zhou Dynasties (ca. 1100-221 B.C.). In the Oracle-Bone and Bronze

分手 f€nsh6u to split up; to break up 手套 sh6ut螽 o glove

pictograph

In

the

Oracle-Bone

and

Bronze

Inscriptions, 日 represents the sun. Since the sun rises daily, 日 extended to mean “day.” Regular Script is also called “Square Script” and usually there are no round components, so the character 0 in Regular Script is

ri

日 象 形 。 甲骨文、金 文像太陽的輪廓。 曰字 寫成方形則出於楷书書 寫的習慣。

drawn as a rectangle with a horizontal line through

sun; day

its middle, which indicates that the sun is not just a circle but a solid thing, and distinguishes 曰 from the character P .

甲 ©

金 e

篆 0

諡

pictograph

節曰 ji 爸 ri holiday; festival 日本 riben Japan

：n : : ebinhday

In

the

Oracle-Bone

and

Bronze

Inscriptions, the character 月 depicts a crescent moon,

月

which may be compared to a large eye, following and watching people quietly at night. The dot or lines in the

月 象 形 。 甲骨文、金文 中像彎月形。作 為 部 首 ， 也稱為肉月旁。

character 月 represent the darker areas of the moons

yue

surface. Given that the moon s orbit takes approximately

m oon; m onth

thirty days, the extended meaning of 月 is “month.” Wlien used as a radical,月 can mean “moon” or “flesh.” For example, the characters 腿 (tuT, leg ), 臉 / 脸 (lian, face), 腦 / 脑 （ nSo, brain), and 腳/ 脚 （ jiSo, foot) all contain the flesh radical 月 （derived from 肉， r6u).

甲I

金

篆

夕

月壳 yueliang the moon 月餅 yuebTng mooncake

pictog raph

木

In its ancient forms, the character 木

depicts a tree with branches on top and roots at the bottom. “Tree” is the original meaning of 木 ， while extended meanings today are “wood” or “lumber.”

樹木 shCimCi trees 木頭 mCitou log; timber; blockhead

8

月光 yueguang moonlight 月份 yuef^n month

木 象 形 。像 一 棵 樹 。上 像 樹 枝 ，中像樹幹，下 像樹根。

木刻 muke woodcut 木匠 mCijiang carpenter The Way o f C hinese Character

pictog raph

In its ancient form, the character 7X

looks like a flowing body of water. The line in the middle represents the main stream and the dots on the sides look like the spray or waves of the water. In

水 象 形 。 甲骨文中間像 流 水 ，旁似浪花或水的 支流。

Regular Script, the dots extend into lines, resembling the tributaries of a river. The original meaning of 7X was “river,” but later it came to mean “water.”

汽水 q)shuT soda 7_R平 shuTpfng level; standard

pictog raph

方

In the Oraple-Bone Inscriptions,方 looks

like a shovel or spade. Its original meaning was M shovel,w but today it means “to dig a hole,” “cubic meter,” “square,” upright, place, region, side, direction, etc.

長方形 changfangxfng rectangle 地方 difang place; space

pictograph

火

水果 shuTgu6 fruit 開水 kaishuT boiled water; boiling water

方 象 形 。像剷土的工 具 。 甲骨文上短橫像手 握 的 橫 柄 ，中間一長橫 是腳踩的地方，下為分 叉 的 鍤 。本義為土鍤， 引申義包括正方形、方 面 、方 向 、地 域 、正 、 才等。

fangbian convenient

方向 fangxiang direction

In the Oracle-Bone Inscriptions, the

火 象 形 。像 火 焰 形 。

character 火 represents flames. In Regular S crip t, 火 resembles flames on firewood. There are two forms of the fire radical: 火 and J \ \ \ y a.s in 烫 / 烫 （ t^ng ， scalding),

燒/烧 (sha 〇, burn), and 熱 / 热 （ r i hot).

huo fire

火， 紅 hu6h6ng fiery; blazing

甲 A

篆

The Way o f Chinese Characters

huoche train

火山 hudshan volcano 火藥 huoyao gunpowder

9

pictograph

In

the

Oracle-Bone

and

Bronze

Inscriptions, the character I looks like an ax-type tool, with the handle on the top and the blade at the bottom. This i E symbol of an ax suggests power and authority, therefore meaning aking.，> In Regular Script, one can

wang

hardly find the ax in the character I , as it evolved into a simple jt . with a vertical stroke running down the

king; (surname)

middle. W hen used as a radical, I usually refers to jade, because it is similar to I (yu, jade).

女王 nuwang queen 王室 wangshl royal family

guowang king

甲 太 金 1

篆 工

王 象 形 。 甲骨文、金文 中像斧形，上 像 其 柄 ，下 像 其 圓弧形的鋒刃。王是 一種斧狀的的兵器，後來 成 為 執 法的刑具，是權 威 的 象 徵 。引申義指以 武力征服 天 下 者 為 王 。

王子 wangzT prince; son o fa king

The character 田 depicts plots of land, divided by vertical and horizontal lines, as if seen from pictograph

田 象 形 。像阡陌縱橫的 田地。

above. Today it is also a common surname.

tian field; (surname)

甲

金

田

篆

田地 ti含 ndl field; farmland; cropland 油田 y6ut话n oilfield

田

pictog raph

In

the

Oracle-Bone

and

種田 zhongtian to farm ； farming 稻田 daotian paddy field

Bronze

Inscriptions, the character 目 represents an eye. In Seal Script, this eye becomes vertical and the curves in the character are straightened . 目 is often used as a radical in characters related to eyes, e.g., ^ (kan, see),

mu

10

(xia,

blind), and B (shui, sleep). The extended meanings of

eye

甲

目 象 形 。 甲骨文、金文 像 人 眼 形 。為 書 寫 方 便 ， 小篆將橫 目 改 為 竪 目 。

巨are ttitem，” “catalogue,” “goal,” **title,” etc.

金

篆

0

目光 mCjguang sight; vision; gaze 目的 mud I purpose; aim; goal

目前 muqian at present; currently 題目 tfmCi title; topic The Way o f C hinese Charactej

刀> 0 | 0> 广5

The Way o f Chinese Characte

11

p i c t o g r a p h In its ancient forms, the character 衣 outlines a garment with a collar and sleeves in the upper

衣 象 形 。像 衣 領 、 衣 袖 、衣 襟 形 。

part, and the hemline in the lower part. In Regular Script, 衣 resembles a garment on a clothes hanger. There are two forms of the clothing radical,

and ^ .

^ is usually positioned at the bottom of a character as in 袋 （ d螽 i, bag; sack) and 表 （ bi含 〇, surface; outside), while ^ is on the left, as in (chenshan, shirt) and W (ku, pants).

甲 y

金 兗 篆 它

米

衣服 yTfu clothes 雨衣 ydyT raincoat

大衣 day! overcoat; topcoat 毛衣 maoyT (wool) sweater

pictograph In the Oracle-Bone Inscriptions, 米 resembles grains scattered around a rack, meaning

“hulled or husked uncooked rice.” Its extended meanings include “rice-shaped things，” and wmeter.”

ml uncooked rice

米飯 mlf&n (cooked) rice 玉米 yCimT com

pictog raph

車/ 写

In

the

^ 2 4 . ^ huasheng ml peanut

米老鼠 mTIAoshCi Mickey Mouse

Oracle-Bone

Inscriptions, the character ^

and

Bronze

depicts a chariot,

complete with frame, axle, wheels, and yokes. In Seal Script,車 is simplified to one wheel on its axle. The simplified character 车 developed from the cursive style o f 車.

甲 工 金 ？ 篆 奉 草 ？ 12

米 象 形 。 甲骨文像一段 有 米 粒 的 穀 穗 ，或散落 在 稻 稭 下 的 穀 粒 。本義 為 去 皮 的 稻 穀 ，引申泛 指 稻 穀 、像米粒的食物 以及長度單位。一米是 1 0 0 釐 米 ，合 3 市 尺 。

汽車 qiche car; automobile 自行車 zixingche bicycle; bike

車 象 形 。篆文像簡化了 的車形，只 有 車 架 、一個 輪 子 與 軸 。簡體字车是繁 體字車的草書楷化字。

火車 huoche train 車站 chezhan rail station; bus stop The W ay o f C hinese Characters

a ss o c ia t iv e compound

In the Oracle-Bone and

Bronze Inscriptions, the character 言 looks like a tongue (the upper part) sticking out from a mouth (the bottom

口

part), referring to the act of speaking with excitement and energy. In Regular Script, the mouth 口 comprises

yan

言 會 意 。 甲骨文、金文 字 形 下 像 嘴 ，上像伸出 的舌頭。意指言乃從舌 上發出 的 聲 音 。

the lower part of but the upper part resembles a sound wave more than a tongue.

word; speech

語言 yuyan language 寓言 yCiydn fable

PI CTO g r a p h

In

the

發 言 to speak; to make a statement/ speech 預言 yCiyan to predict; prophecy

Oracle-Bone

and

Bronze

Inscriptions， the character 貝 resembles a cowry shell. Since cowry shells were used as currency in ancient times, characters with 貝 as a component often relate to money, trade, or wealth, e .g ., 買/ 买 (mai，buy),

bei

貝 象 形 。甲骨文、金文 中像貝殼形。簡體字贝 是由繁體字貝的草書楷 化而來。

賣/ 卖 （ m&i， sell), 貴 / 贵 （ gu】 ， expensive), and 財 （ cdi, fortune). The simplified character derives from the cursive style of the traditional character

甲 C3 金 0

篆 貝 草 4

貝殼 b^ikd cowry shell

a ss o c ia tiv e compound

見/见 jian

寳貝 baobei treasure; darling

In the Oracle-Bone and

Bronze Inscriptions, the character 見 looks like a person with one large eye in place of a head, meaning “to see” or “meet.” In Regular Script，見 looks like a stylized rendition of a figure with a big eye above two thin legs. The simplified character JAL derives from the cursive

見 會 意 。從 目 從 儿 。 儿指 人 ，表示人看東西 時要睜大眼睛。簡體字 见是繁體字見的草書楷 化字。

style o f the traditional form M-

Miffi jianmian to meet

看見 kanji垚 n tosee The Way o f Chinese Characters

zaljian goodbye; see you again later ilM

tlngjian to hear

13

a ss o c ia tiv e compound

In the Bronze Inscriptions,

the upper part of 走 looks like a person walking rapidly with arms swinging, while the lower part depicts a human foot. In Regular Script, the lower part resembles

走 會 意 。金文上像人擺 動 雙 臂 ，下 從 止 （腳 ）， 表示人用腳快步前行。

a person striding forward with one arm swinging high, and the upper part becomes i upon which we walk.

(tu, earth), the surface

走路 zoulu to walk; to go on foot 走狗 zdugdu running dog; lackey

pictog raph

走走 zduzdu take a walk 走私 zdusT to smuggle

In the Oracle-Bone Inscriptions, the

upper part of S l represents the calf of a leg, while the lower part presents an image of a foot, which is the same as the lower part of

In Regular Script, the calf

足 象 形 。從 口 、從 止 。 口像小 腿 ；止 是 腳 。 合起來表示人足。

part is replaced by 口. Characters with the foot radical E are often associated with acts that involve using ones feet, such as 跟 （ g€n, follow),踢 （ tT, kick), and 跳 (t话o, jump). The extended meanings of 足 are “enough,” “ample,” etc.

甲

足跡 zCjjj footprint; track 不足 bCizO not enough; insufficient; deficiency

PICTOGRAPH AND ASSOCIATIVE COMPOUND

足球 zdqi。soccer; football 滿足 manzd satisfied; content

In the

Bronze Inscriptions, the character 金 consists of three parts: A (arrowhead), I

(axe), and two dots

(representing bronze ingots), suggesting that both arrowheads and axes are made o f bronze. The primary meaning of 金 is “metal,” with the extended meanings u

I in

lu

n

gold and money.

金屬 jTnshii metal 金魚 jTnyO goldfish

14

金 象 形 兼 會 意 。金文左 邊 像 兩 塊 青 銅 塊 ，右邊 上 是 箭 頭 下 是 斧 ，指可 用 來 製 作 箭 、斧等器具 的金 屬 。本 義 為 金 属 ， 引申為黃金、金 錢 等 。

現金 xi含 njTn cash 獎學金 jiingxu^jTn scholarship The W ay o f C hinese Characters

The character 門 depicts a door with two

(kSi， open) ，關/ 关 (gu§n, close), 問/ 问 （ w^n, ask), etc. The simplified character f l derives from the cursive style of 門.

men

刀>Dln>L.S

pictog raph

panels. Characters with the 門 radical include: 開/开

門 象 形 。像兩扇門之 形 。门是門字的草書楷 化字。

door; gate

M

金

hH 篆

、

厂

1 草

J

出門 chQmen to go out; to go on a journey menpiao admission ticket 大 門 d^im4n entrance door; gate 對門 duimen the house or room opposite

pictog raph In the Oracle-Bone and Bronze Inscriptions, the character ^ depicts a short-tailed bird.

In Regular Script, the birds head shrinks and the claws

隹 象 形 。意指短尾巴 〇

disappear, but its body and feathers are still apparent.

隹 is often used in characters pertaining to birds, or as a

zhuT

phonetic symbol， e.g.， 雞/ 鸡 (jT, chicken), 雁 (y螽 n, wild goose)， and 維 / 维 (zhuT, awl).

short-tailed bird

甲 黄

金 P

篆 隹

pictog raph

The character M could indicate heavy

rain, as one can see four large rain drops. Characters with the rain radical often relate to natural phenomena or weather, e.g., S

雨 象 形 。像雨滴從天上 落下形。

(xue, snow), W (lei, thunder),

霧/雾 (wCj， fog), and 雲/云 （ yOn， cloud).

甲 T

金 刚 篆 雨

The Way o f Chinese Characters

xiayu to rain; rainy

雨傘 yd sin umbrella

yuyT raincoat

雨季 yOjl rainy season

15

a ss o c ia tiv e

compound

In

Inscriptions, the lower part of ^

食

the

Oracle-Bone

resembles a high-

legged container full of food, while the upper part represents an open mouth, referring to the act of eating. In Regular Script, the lower part of 食 looks like legs in

shi

movement, which could suggest that one derives energy

to eat

from eating. The food radical 食 / T always appears on the left side of a character, e.g., (fan, food; cooked

食 會 意 。 甲骨文中 “食 ”字上邊像是向下 張 開 的 嘴 ，下邊像是盛 滿 了 食 物 的 容 器 ，表示 張口向下吃容器中的食 物 。一説下像裝滿食物 的容 器 ，上 則 為 蓋 子 。

rice), 餓 / 饿 （ 会 ， hungry), and 餅 / 饼 （ bTng, pancake).

甲 會 金 t

食物 sh〖wCi food 食堂 shftang dining hall; canteen

篆 t

pictograph

飲食 yTnsh丨food and drink; diet 食言 shfyan to break a promise (literally: to eat one’s words)

In the Oracle-Bone Inscriptions, the

character 馬 delineates a horse. In its later forms, the

馬/马

character becomes more simple and abstract. Yet the shape of a horse, complete with body, mane, and legs, can still be seen in the Regular Script form. The

ma horse

simplified character ^ derives from the cursive style of the traditional character 馬 .

金

f

篆

|

草

3

馬上 mashang at once; right away 馬虎 rr^hu careless

pictograph

出馬 chQma go into action; take up a matter 馬路 ID street; road

In its ancient forms, M, is the drawing of

a complete fish with its head, body, fin, scales, and tail. In Regular Script, M. still resembles a fish with its head on the top, body and scales in the middle, and tail at the bottom. In the simplified form 6 , the fish tail is replaced by a horizontal line.

甲 16

馬 象 形 。上像馬頭與鬃 毛 ，下 像 身 、腿 、尾 。 簡體的马字保留了繁體 馬 字 的 大 體 輪 廓 ，十分 接近馬字的草書。

打魚 dayu to fish (with a net) 金魚 jTnyd goldfish

魚 象 形 。像 魚 的 素 描 ， 上 是 頭 ，中是 身 ，下是 尾 。意 指水生脊椎动物。 簡化字鱼將魚字下面四點 改 成 一 橫 ，清 代 已 見 。

海魚 hSiyCi seafish 魚網 ydwang fishnet The W ay o f Chinese Characters

NUM ERALS ex p lic it charac ters

In Chinese writing systems,

one horizontal stroke represents the number one, two horizontal strokes stand for the number two, and three strokes for the number three. ~ 三 ， ^ are proba­

一 二 三 指 事 。以一至 三画表示數字一到三， 是原始的計數符號。

bly the easiest Chinese characters to remember. From

yi

ancient times until now, these three characters have not changed much.

one

There is a Chinese joke about a silly boy who began to learn numerals. After the boy learned

~

二，

from his teacher, he told his father he was able to write any number. His father was very proud. One day

er

he asked his son to write the number “ten thousand” to

two

show his guests. The boy remained worked for half a day, but was still unable to finish the task. W hen the guests saw what he wrote, they all laughed. On the paper were thousands of horizontal strokes! In fact, numbers larger than three are expressed in a different pattern.

san three

甲 一

金 一

篆 一

甲 二

金 二

篆 二

甲 三

金 二

篆 三

一 S ylzhi straight forward; continuously; alwayj 一點兒 yTdiar a little; a bit 二古月 erhu two-stringed Chinese instrument 二百五 erb 芑iwd idiot; stupid person 二角 sanjiao triangle 二明治 sanmingzhi sandwich

p h o n e t i c lo a n c h a r a c t e r

兀

tions, the character 0 resembles a big nose, or nostrils on a face. Therefore it originally meant “gasp” or “pant.” Later H came to mean the numeral Kfour.MIn the Ora­ cle-Bone inscriptions, Kfour,5 was represented by four

SI

horizontal lines, but this character was replaced by 0 .

four

甲

In the Bronze Inscrip­

至

金

留

The Way o f Chinese Characters

篆

C 9

四 假 借 。在甲骨文中 是 四 横 。金 文 “四 ”像 臉 部 的 口 鼻 。本義為喘 息 ，是 哂 的本字，因讀 音相近而借用為四字。

s'lfang the four directions; all sides 四季 s\jl four seasons 四面八方 simian bafang in all directions; all around; far and near

17

In the Neolithic signs around

ex p lic it character

4,000 B.c.， the symbol “X ” was used to indicate “five.”

五

In the Oracle-Bone and Bronze Inscriptions, a line was added above and below the X. In Regular Script, the middle part of 五 resembles a cross that comers at its right end.

wu five

甲 X

金 X

篆 X

五官 wuguan five sense organs (nose， eyes, lips, tongue, ears 鼻目 口舌耳)； facial features 五行 wOxfng five elements o f Chinese philosophy (wood, fire, earth, metal， water 木火土金水 )

p h o n e t i c lo a n c h a r a c t e r

In the Oracle-Bone and

Bronze Inscriptions, the character /

n outlines

a hut or

shed, possibly some sort of prehistoric dwelling. Later, 7 n came to indicate the number six. In Regular Script,

六 still resembles a simple house, with the roof on top

liu

金

外

篆

介

六百 liubai six hundred 六千 liCiqi巨n 6,000

ex p lic it character

七 qT seven

六萬 liCjw^n 60,000 六億 liCjyl 600,000,000

In the Neolithic, Oracle-Bone,

and Bronze Inscriptions, ~jr represented the number seven. However, in Seal Script,

was used to mean

“ten” and the vertical line of 十 was bent to mean “seven.” In Regular Script, you may still see similarities between 十 （ shf， ten) and 七 （ qT， seven), as 七 looks like 十 with a tail.

十七 shfqT seventeen 七十 qTshi seventy

18

六 假 借 。在 甲 骨 文 、 金 文 中 為 茅 棚 狀 ，本義 為 盧 。 由於目買首相近的 關 係 ，借 用 為 六 字 。

and two pillars beneath.

six

甲

五 指 事 。在西安半坡仰 韶文化遺址出土的陶器 上 ，x 即 五 。 甲骨文、金 文在 x 上 下 各 加 一 橫 。

七 指 事 。在半坡陶器上 以及甲骨文、金 文 中 ， 十 的 意 思 皆 是 七 。小篆 將 十 的 意 思 改 為 十 ，而 將 十 的 一 竪 彎 曲 ，另造 七 字 ， 以區別于十。

七嘴八舌 qTzuT bash6 “W ith seven mouths and eight tongues;” lively discussion with many talking at once

The Way o f C hinese Character

p h o n e t i c lo a n c h a r a c t e r The character A suggests is the act of dividing something into parts. Originally

the character did mean “to divide” or “to separate.” Later ) \ came to mean the numeral eight.

zcme

ba eniglu

八 假 借 。 甲骨文中用兩 劃來表不將一物分開， 是分字的初文，後借用 為數字。

is >_

7d

+A

甲 X

金 八 篆 八

shiba eighteen

八十 bash I eighty

p h o n e t i c lo a n c h a r a c t e r

AH

In the Oracle-Bone and

Bronze Inscriptions, the character looks like the pos­ terior of an animal with a long tail, possibly a monkey. Hence, the original meaning of 九 was “behind” or “buttocks.” Latei•九 came to mean the number nine.

JIU

diba eighth babai eight hundred

九 假 借 。 甲骨文像是獸 類臀部上長出的尾巴，是 尻 （ka。屁 股 ）的初文。 後借為數 目 字 。

nine

甲 心 金

乏

篆

A

第九 cHjid ninth 十九 shfjiCi nineteen

ex p lic it character

九十 jiCishf ninety 九月 jiuyue September

In the Neolithic signs, as well as

in the Oracle-Bone Inscriptions, one vertical line stood for ten, two lines for twenty and three for thirty. In the Bronze Inscriptions, a circular dot was added in the middle of the vertical line. Later, in Seal Script, this dot became a horizontal line， making the character for “ten” look like a cross.

甲

金 t

The Way o f C hinese Characters

篆

十 指 事 。在半坡陶器 上 ，十 字為 一 竪 畫 ， 甲 骨 文 同 。金文中間加一 點 ，篆文又由一點延長為 一 橫 。一説在一根繩上 打一個結表不一个十。

十分 shff€n very; extremely 十字架 sh 〖 z】 jiA cross; crucifix 十全十美 shfqu含 n shfmli perfect in every way 十字路口 shfzi ICik6u crossroads; intersection

19

In the Oracle-Bone Inscriptions, the upper part of W may represent a ruler and the

a ss o c ia tiv e compound

lower part a grain of white rice 白, suggesting a long line of rice grains. Meanings of W are M hundred,wwnumerous,” and “all kinds 〇 £”

bai hundred

甲

®

金 百 篆

SIW jTbai several hundred; how many hundred 百貨公司 baihuo gongs! department store

3

a ss o c ia tiv e compound

In its ancient forms, the top

part of 千 is a person 人 and the bottom part a ten 十， implying that the maximal life span of ten persons is 1000 years. The primary meaning of 千 is “thousand” and its extended meanings are “many,” “numerous,” etc.

百 會 意 〇 ~ ■言兌甲骨文字 形 上 像 一 把 尺 子 ，下像白 米 粒 ，表示擺下一尺長 的米 粒 ，引 申 為 一 百 。 白，象 形 。像一粒白米

百姓 baixing ordinary people 二百 erbai two hundred

千 會 意 。 甲骨文從十， 從 人 。人壽以一百嵗為 限 ，十人壽限加起便是 千 。本 義 為 千 ，引申義 為 很 多 、無 數 。

千萬 qianwan ten million; millions and millions; to be sure chengqian shangwan thousands upon thousands

H e a v e n ly Ste m s and E a rth ly B ra n ch e s In addition to these numerals, the Chinese also traditionally used two sets of numbers to count up to sixty: ten heavenly stems and twelve earthly branches. Together, they were used to count years, months, days, and hours. Today, the heavenly stems still often appear as ordinal numbers, choices in multiple choice questions, or as abbreviations of parties in legal documents (Party A, Party B, etc.). Many also commonly appear as components in more complex characters.

TEN HEAVENLY STEMS 甲

乙

丙

丁

戊

己

庚

辛

壬

癸

jia

yT

bTng

ding

wu

jT

geng

xln

ren

guT

TWELVE EARTHLY BRANCHES

20

子

丑

寅

卯

辰

已

午

未

中

酉

戌

亥

zT

chou

ym

mao

chen

SI

wu

wei

shen

you

XU

hai

The Way o f Chinese Characters

CH A R A C TER S by PINYIN (A -Z ) KE Y TO S C R I P T T Y P E S EXAMPLES (報）

SYMBOL

SCRIPT

甲

Oracle-Bone Inscriptions

金

Bronze Inscriptions

SYMBOL

SCRIPT

篆

Seal Script

草

Cursive Script

IK

EXAMPLES (報）

k

See the "Types'of Script" section on page vi of the Preface for more information.

pic to p h o n e tic

阿

The

character

character

阿

(pronounced e) is made up o f the mound radical ^ and the phonetic element (ke), originally referring to aa big mound.” Its extended meanings are “riverbank,” “the corner or edge,” “be bent,” “to pander to,” “to play up to,”

a (a prefix)

“gracefiil,” etc. W hen P可is pronounced 巨 ， it fiinctions as a prefix to a monosyllabic name or a kinship term

e big m ound

of address to indicate familiarity. In the Oracle-Bone Inscriptions,

resembles a mouth exhaling and means

to approve, okay, may, can, and but.

阿 拉 伯 吾 丨 Arab; Arabic

阿姨 tyf aunt; nursemaid

picto p h o n e tic ch a racter

啊 a

阿 形 聲 。從 阜 （左 is )， 可 聲 。本義為大土山， 音 讀 作 g。引申義有山水 的彎曲之處、角 落 、屈從 迎 合 、阿諛奉承等。作 為人名與親屬稱謂的前 綴 时 讀 作 a ，如 阿 毛 ， 阿 爸 、阿 姨 。可 ，從 口 ， 從5 ( k a 。 ) 。万 ，气欲舒出 狀 。 以口中舒气以示認 可 、同意等。

The character W is used

as an exclamation， and consists o f the mouth radical 口 and the phonetic component P可（ i / 旬.阿 contains the mound radical P and the phonetic 可 （ k呑 )， meaning “large mound.”

啊 形 聲 。從 口 ，阿聲。 用作嘆詞。阿 ，形 聲 。 金文從阜（ 脳坑；土山）， 可 聲 ，本義為山的彎曲

(exclamation particle)

W W aya interjection of surprise

The Way o f Chinese Characters

B阿哟互yo interjection o f surprise or pain

21

picto p h o n etic

哎

character

The

character

哎

combines the mouth radical 口 and the phonetic indicator 3c (ai) and functions as an interjection to express surprise, dissatisfaction, regret, greeting, or to draw attention, x is Chinese mugwort or wormwood. The dried leaves of mugwort can be made into moxa cones (a cylinder of cotton wool or other combustible material) and used in moxibustion (a traditional treatment of Chinese medicine in which moxa cones are placed on the skin and ignited in order to treat disease or produce analgesia).

哎呀 SiyS ah!; Oh, my!

aiyo ouch; whoops

ASSOCIATIVE AND PICTOPHONETIC COMPOUND In the

愛/爱

Seal Script, the top part o f S is both the phonetic and signifying component (pronounced ai， meaning “love” ） and the bottom part is the signifying element (SL suT, walk back and forth; hover). It seems a man is falling

ai

deeply in love with a woman, hovering around her house and being reluctant to leave. The simplified character S derives from the cursive style of the traditional form

愛人 A in spouse (PRC); lover (non-PRC) 可愛 k ^ i cute; lovely

a ss o c ia tiv e compound

安 an calm; safe

of the roof radical ^

The character $

consists

on top and the woman 女

calamity, women can stay home peacefully and life is safe and tranquil. H e n c e , 女 means “tranquil,” quiet,

calm,

stable,

sare,

secure,

at

ease,” “content,” “satisfied,” “to pacify,” “to stabilize,” “to

甲 ③ 金 伊 ）篆 煦 22

愛 會 意 兼 形 聲 。篆文上 部 標 聲 兼 表 意 U i ,lwe)，下 部 從 夂 (suT 腳），表示心 有所愛而腳下徘徊不忍 離 去 ，有 慈 愛 、情 愛 、 喜 愛 等 意 。爱是愛字的 草 書 楷 化 字 ，去掉愛字 中間的心字而將夂字改 為友。

愛好 AihSo hobby 親愛的 qTn’&ide dear; beloved; darling

underneath, suggesting when there is no war or natural

peacerui,

哎 形 聲 。從 口 ，艾 聲 ， 是 後 起 字 。用 做 嘆 詞 ， 表 示 傷 感 、嘆 息 或 提 醒 、 打 招 呼 、呼 應 等 。哎呀 用 來 表 示 驚 訝 ，哎哟表 示 驚 訝 、痛 苦 。艾 ，形 聲 。從 卄 ，乂 ( y l ) 聲 ， 本 義 指 艾 草 ，曬乾后可 制成艾絨用作灸療。

安 會 意 。從 女 ，從 〜 ， 表 不 一 女 在 房 中 。本義 為 安 靜 、安 寧 ，引申義 有 安 定 、安 全 、舒 適 、 感 到 滿 足 、使 安 定 、安 置 、安 裝 等 。

平安 pfngan safe and sound 晚安 wan’Sn G oodnight! The W ay o f C hinese C harade}

picto p h o n e tic cha rac ter

把

The character 把 is made

up of the hand radical -f and the phonetic element

巴， meaning “to grasp,” “to hold,” “to take hold ofT “a handle,” or "liandflil:’ 把 can be used as a measure word for objects that can be held or handled with one hand.

ba (M W for objects

It also functions as a particle before a direct object, followed by a transitive verb. In Seal Script 巴 looks like a snake with a large mouth. The original meaning o f E was “snake.” Later it came to mean “to cling to” or “to stick to," for when a snake moves, its body always clings to something.

篆矜

巴篆今

把手 bSsh6u knob 一 ~'ffiZJ yiba dao aknife

picto p h o n etic ch a racter

up of the radical

火把 hudbS torch —■把椅子 ylbayTzi a chair

The character 爸 is made

(fu, father) and the phonetic E

(ba, cling to). In its ancient form,

delineates a hand

holding a stone ax—an important tool and weapon in primitive society. In Seal Script E looks like a snake

ba

with a large mouth.

baba (informal) father

父 甲 N

金 久 篆 吁 巴 篆 今

親爸 qTnb^ biological father

picto p h o n e tic ch a racter

吧 ba (sentence­ ending particle)

把 形 聲 。從_ ，巴聲。 本義為以手握持。引申義 有把守控制、東 西的柄， 也用於能以一手所握的東 西 （一 把 米 ），以及能以 一隻手握持的一些東西的 量 詞 （一 把 刀 ）。另 外 ， 把也作為介詞引出動作受 事 的 對 象 ，使 賓 語 前 置 。 巴，象 形 。篆文像一條張 著大嘴的蛇。

has the mouth radical

口 and the phonetic element 巴 (b§). 口 巴can be used as a question indicator, onomatopoeic word, or particle for making a suggestion. In Seal Script, E resembles a snake with a large, open mouth. Todays meanings of E are still related to the characteristics o f a snake, such

爸 形 聲 。從 父 、 巴聲。 父 ，象 形 。 甲骨文、金 文字形像手持石斧工作 狀 。 巴，象 形 。篆文中像 一條張著大嘴的蛇。本 義 為 蛇 ，引申為依附、 靠 近 、 巴結等。

爸媽 阿爸

dadandm om (dialect) father

吧 象 聲 詞 、語 氣 詞 。 巴，象 形 。篆文像嘴大 能吞象的蛇形。本義為 蛇 ，弓丨申為依附、靠 近 、 巴結等。

as “cling to,” “stick to,” and “wait anxiously” （ as a snake waiting for prey).

巴篆今 The Way o f Chinese Characters

好吧 hSoba alright; fine 酒吧 jidba bar; pub

走吧 z6uba let’sgo 網吧 w含ngb§ Internet cafd

23

pictograph

In its ancient form , 白 resembles bright

rays spreading out from the sun, or as some scholars say, a grain of white rice. The original meaning of S is “white.” Extended meanings include “pure,” “dear,” and

白 象 形 。像 太 陽 初 升 、 光 芒 四 射 狀 。一説像一 粒白米。

“in vain.”

bai white; (surname)

白天 baititn (laytime; day

甲 6

6

金 6

篆白

S A bairen white people; Caucasian

associative compound

班

In its ancient forms, the

character 55 looks like two pieces o f jade with a knife in between. The original meaning of 班 was “to divide a jade stone into two,** from which the meanings wto distribute,” “class,” “group,” “work shift,” and “schedule

ban

(of flights, bus, etc.)Mhave derived.

金 扭 篆 斑

H丢 庄sanban Class Three shangban to go to work

pictophonetic character

The character 搬 consists

(ban), meaning wto move,” “to take away,” or “to copy mechanically.” 般 is made up of 舟 （ zh 6 u, boat) and (shu, a type of ancient weapon made of bamboo), suggesting the act of using a boat-pole to change the direction a boat is taking. Originally 般 meant “to rotate,” andhas been borrowed to mean “sort,” “type,” or “the same as.” In its ancient forms， 舟 is the pictograph a hand holding a weapon.

搬家 b 巨 n jiS to resettle, to move (house)

篆 1 24

舟 甲 ' ^ 金 " 篆 I

班 會 意 。金文中間是 刀 ，左右為兩塊玉 (玨 ），指以刀將玉一 分 為 二 。本義為分割玉 石 ，引申為分工作或學 習 的班組，按時間分成 的工作時段，定時開行 的班車、航 班 等 。

中文班 zhdngwen ban Chinese class 班機 bSnjT a scheduled flight

of the hand radical 孑 and the phonetic element 般

of a boat and

S f e baise white color baicai Chinese cabbage; bok choi

banyun to transport; to carry

搬 形 聲 。從 守 ，般 聲 。 意 指 搬 動 、搬 運 ，引申義 有 套 用 等 。般 ，會 意 。從 舟 ，從 殳 ，本義為用篙 使 舟 旋 轉 ，後 借 指 樣 、 種 、相 同 。舟 ，象 形 ， 古 文 字 中 像 船 形 。殳 ( s h Q ) , 會 意 。古文字中像 手 持 一 兵 器 ，本義為古代 一 種 竹 製 的 兵 器 。如今 不 單 用 ，只 作 為 偏 旁 。 搬桌子 b豆n zhu 6 zi to move a table banyungong porter

The W ay o f Chinese Characters

associative compound

In its ancient form, the

character 半 consists of 八 （ bS, divide; eight) and 牛 (niu, ox), indicating cutting an ox in half. In the OracleBone Inscriptions, the character

depicts the front

view of an oxs head. In the character ^

ban

in Regular

半 會 意 。上 從 八 （分 開 ），下 從 牛 。表示將 牛從中切為兩半，意為 事物的二分之一。

Script,八 is upside down and 牛 loses one stroke on the left.

half

半天 b&ntitn halfaday ¥個 月 bangeyue half a month

金单

pictophonetic character

半年 b&nniin halfayear — 半 yfban half

The character 拌 consists

拌 形 聲 。從 手 ，半 聲 。 是 後起字。本義為攪拌、 攙 和 ，引申義有爭吵等。 半 ， 會 意 。金 文 、篆文 上 從 八 （分 開 ），下從 牛 。表示將牛從中切為 兩 半 ，意為事物的二分 之一。

of the hand radical 才 and the phonetic element 半

拌

(ban), indicating the act of mixing things with hands. Literally 拌 嘴 (banzuT) is “to mix mouths” and therefore means “to wrangle” or “to quarrel.” In its ancient forms, (ban, half) contains JV (ba, divide;

ban to mix

eight) on top and 4 1 (niu, ox) underneath, indicating cutting an ox into halves. In the character 半 in Regular Script,八 is upside down and 牛 loses one stroke on the left.

涼摔面 lidngb&n mi An cold noodles with sauce 拌嘴 banzuT to quarrel

pictophonetic

character

The

character

涼泮菜 lidngb^in dii salad 搅拌 jiaoban to stir; to agitate

辦

consists of the signifying element 力 （ I'i，power) and the phonetic element ^ (bian, to debate), meaning handle, manage, do, or punish. You can memorize this character by imagining a person "managing" to split

ban

something in two using all their strength.

is made

up of two 辛 （ xTn). In the Oracle-Bone and Bronze Inscriptions, ^ is a pictograph of a chiseled instrument

辦 形 聲 。從 力 ，鋅 ( _ 剖 分 、爭辯）聲 。 辛 ，象 形 。 甲骨文、金 文像在犯人臉上刺字的 刑 具 。簡體字办用一撇 一點代替兩個辛字，舊 時已見。

used to tattoo the faces of prisoners. Extended meanings of 辛 are “pungent,” “laborious,” “suffering,” and “hot (in flavor).MThe simplified character ^ uses two short strokes to replace the two 辛 of the traditional form 辦 .

篆 fff辛 甲 Y The Way o f Chinese Characters

金 T

篆 竿

bangong to work (esp. in an office) banfa means; method

辦公室 bang 6 ngshi office 怎麽 _ zenmeban what s to be done?

25

幫/帮 bang to help

pictophonetic character The character 幫 consists of the signifying element ^ (bo, silk) and the phonetic

封 (l^ng, seal). The original meaning of 幫 was “the upper part of a shoe” while extended meanings include “side” (of a boat, cart, etc.), “assist,” and “help.” The character 帛 combines 白 (bai, white) and ^ (jin, pictograph of a scarf), referring to un-dyed silk. In Regular Script,

is comprised o f two d t (tu, soil) and

one 寸 （ cCjn， inch ).幫 is a variant of 幫， and the middle part 白 was deleted from 幫 to form the simplified 帮.

幫助 bangzhCj to help ； aid

幫 f t bangmang to help; to do a favor M M bangpai faction

bangshou helper

pictophonetic character

The character 棒 is

comprised of the wood radical 木 and the phonetic

奉 (f会 ng)， originally meaning “a stick” or “a club.” The extended meanings of 棒 are “to hit with a stick，” “strong，” “capable,” and “excellent.” In the Oracle-Bone

bang fantastic; stick

Inscriptions， 奉 looks like two hands holding a plant. Its original meaning is Mto hold in both hands respectfully,w from which it has derived the meanings wto offer with respect，’’ wto esteem,” “to serve，” Kto believe in，’’ etc.

棒子 bangzi stick； club 冰棒 bTngbang popsicle

pictograph

包 bao bag; sack; bundle; package

甲沴 26

幫 形 聲 。從 帛 ，封 聲 。 本 義 為 鞋 幫 ，引申為輔助 等 意 。封 ，會 意 。 甲骨文 像 在 土 堆 上 植 樹 ， 以此來 劃 定 邊 界 。 帛，從 巾 ，從 白；本 義 指 素 白 絲 織 物 ， 引申為絲織品的總稱。 巾，象 形 。像垂下的佩 巾。繁體字幫的另一寫法 是 幫 。簡體字帮去掉了幫 字中間的白字。

棒球 bdngqiO baseball 真棒 zh 忌 nbang excellent (interjection)

In its ancient forms,包 looks like a fetus in

its mother’s womb. Originally 包 referred to “afterbirth,” from which it has derived the meanings M to wrap,MKto surround,” “to contain,” “to contract,” “to charter,” “to guarantee,” “package,” “bundle,” “bag,” “lump,” etc.包 also serves as a measure word for things in the shape of a bale, a box, a bundle, a package, a packet, or a sack, as in “一 包 衣 服 （a bundle of clothes),” and “兩 包 米 (two sacks of rice).”

包 餃 子 biojiSozi to make dumplings 錢包 qdnb§o wallet; purse

棒 形 聲 。從 木 ，奉 聲 。 本 義 為 棍 子 ，引申義有健 壯 、能力 強 、水 平 局 等 。 奉 ，會 意 。 甲骨文像雙 手 恭 敬 地 捧 著 一 物 。本 義 為 捧 ，是 捧 的 本 字 。 引申義有奉上、尊 崇 、 信 仰 、侍 侯 等 。

包 象 形 。 甲骨文像腹中 有 孕 狀 ，本 義 為 胎 衣 ， 引申為把東西包起、 包 圍 、包 含 、全 部 承 擔 、 擔 保 、袋 子 、包 裹 、像 包 的 東 西 、包裹起來的 東 西 、腫 起 的 疙 瘩 ，也 可 以 作 為 量 詞 （一包衣 服 I 兩 包 米 ）。

麵包 mi垚 nbao bread 書包 shQb吾 o schoolbag; satchel The Way o f Chinese Characters

associative

保

compound

In

the

Oracle-Bone

Inscriptions, the character ® depicts a person carrying a child on his/her back. Its original meaning was wto carry somebody/something on ones back,*5 from which the Chinese have derived the meanings “to bring up,” “to safeguard,” “to protect,” “to defend,” “to maintain,”

保 會 意 。 甲骨文從人， 從 子 ，像人負子於背。 本 義 為 背在背上，引申 義 有 養 育 、保 護 、保 持 、 保證等。

“to guarantee,” “to insure,” etc. In Seal Script, 保 becomes the combination of the person radical \ and (dai, dull; slow-witted; wooden), possibly because a dull-witted child needs more protection.

甲 ？1 金 梅 篆 腺

保姆 bSomD nanny 保安 baoan to ensure safety; security guard

保險 bSoxi芑 n insurance 保重 baozhong to take care of oneself

ASSOCIATIVE AND PICTOPHONETIC COMPOUND The character

consists of the hand radical ^ and the

phonetic and signifying component

(bao, wrap),

signifying the act of holding or carrying something in

抱孩子 b&o hdizi to hold a baby in one’s arms baoqian to feel apologetic

associative compound

擁抱 y6 ngbSo to hug 抱著 baozhe keep holding

In the Oracle-Bone and

Bronze Inscriptions, the character depicts a hand pressing the head of a handcuffed person, forcing him

bao to report;

or her onto his or her knees, signifying that the prisoner will be executed. The original meaning of 報 was “to pass a sentence on someone who is guilty of a crime.” Since a judge needs to report the conviction to the appropriate authorities and make it public, extended to mean M to report,” “to announce,” and “newspaper.” The simplified character 报 is developed from the cursive style of 報， with the hand radical ^ replacing 幸 .

k The Way o f C hinese Characters

報告 t^ogao report; paper 日報 ribao daily newspaper

抱 會 意 兼 形 聲 。從 夺 ， 從 包 ，包 亦 聲 。本義為 以手抱持，引申義有擁 抱 、圍繞、胸中懷有等。 跑字也以包為聲旁。

報 會 意 。 甲骨文、金文 中像一隻手從後按住一個 像 帶手銬跪著的人，表 示行將處決犯人。報的 本義是判決犯人。因這 類事情 要 通 報 ，引申為 報 告 、報 刊 、回報等。 簡體字报是繁體字報的 草 書 楷 化 字 ，左邊以子 替換幸字。

報紙 baozhT newspaper 海報 hSibao poster

27

pictophonetic character

杯 consists of the wood

radical 木 and the phonetic element 不 （ bCi)， which may have referred to a wooden cup.

杯

杯 形 聲 。從 木 ，不 聲 ， 意為裝飲料的器皿或指 木做的杯子。

bei cup ；glass

杯子 b€izi cup; glass —杯茶 y)b吞 ichd a cup of tea

篆 _

associative

compound

chabei teacup

乾杯 ganbii bottoms up; to drink a toast; cheers

In

the

Oracle-Bone

Inscriptions, the character 北 depicts two people standing back-to-back, meaning Contrary,w “deviate from,” or “back.” Since traditional Chinese houses usually face south (with their backs toward the north),

北 means “north•”

north

Xk

甲 0

JI

^

金 〉V 篆 "\\

北京 BgijTng Beijing 東北 d 6 ngb§i northeast

pictophonetic character

北邊 b 吞 ibiln north side; northern part 西北 xTbii northwest

The character 被 consists

of the clothes radical 丰 and the phonetic element 皮 (pf). The original meaning of*被 is “quilt”, and has been extended to mean “to cover,” “to suffer from，” and “by (an indicator of passive voice) In Bronze Inscriptions,

bei

皮 looks like a hand stripping the skin off an animal, meaning skin, rur, leather, surface, etc.

by; quilt

篆 28

皮甲

金

篆汽

北 會 意 。 甲骨文中像二 人 背 對 背 站 着 ，本義為違 背 ，引申為脊背。後來 加 肉 月 旁 作 “背 ”，表 示 脊 背 之 義 ，而 “北 ” 則借用為方位名詞。

被 子 b会izi quilt 被動 beiddmg passive

被 形 聲 。從 年 ，皮 聲 。 本 義 為 被 子 ，引申義有 覆 蓋 、遭 受 、表示被動 等 。皮 ，會 意 。金文下像 手 ，上 像 獸 形 ，表示以 手 剝 去 獸 皮 。本義為剝 皮 ，引申為獸皮、皮 膚 、 皮 制 的 （皮 包 、皮 鞋 、 皮 帶 ）、表 面 的 等 。

W.W- beidan bed sheet M

r'

beigao defendant The W ay o f C hinese Characters

In the Oracle-Bone and Bronze Inscriptions， the character 備 looks like an

associative compound

arrow in the quiver, signaling ready for a battle. Hence, the meanings of 備 are “cautious,” “prepare,” or “ready.”

恪 is a variant form of 備 ， and the simplified character

bei

^ remains only the right part of

to prepare

甲

金

TO

篆

準備 zhDnbei preparation; to prepare 設備 sh 会b^i equipment; facilities

explicit character

a tree

yubei to prepare ； to make ready 具備 jOb色 i posess; to have

Hie character 本 represents

with a horizontal line added at the bottom.

Its original meaning is Mthe root of a tree,wfrom which its present meanings “foundation,” “basis,” “based on,” source,

ben (M W for books) foundation

金 浓 篆 洚

origin,

original,

備 會 意 。 甲骨文、金文 皆像箭在箭匣中，意指 準 備 、防 備 、預 備 、裝 備 等 。俗是備字的異體 字 ，簡體字备去掉了恪 字的部首< 。

capital (in business;,

and “oneself” have been derived.本 also functions as a

本 指 事 。木字下面加一 橫 ，本 義 是 樹 根 。引申 為基 礎 、根 源 、原 來的、 自身的、本 錢 、書本雜 誌的量詞等。

measure word for books, periodicals, etc.

本人 benMn oneself 本來 Wnl 含i originally

本 地 bind 〗local 課本 keben textbook

ASSOCIATIVE AND PICTOPHONETIC COMPOUND The character 鼻 is made up of the signifying part 自 and the phonetic element 界 (b〇, indicating the “nose” that breathes air. In the Oracle-Bone Inscriptions, § shows the shape of a nose, referring to £tnose，5in the first place, and later is borrowed to mean “selfT “one’s own，” “from,” or “since.” Now 自 does not mean “nose” anymore since the character 鼻 is used instead. In its ancient forms 界 looks like someone holding a container with both hands

鼻 會 意 兼 形 聲 。篆文 從 自 （鼻 子 ），畀 (bi， 給 與 )聲 ，表示用鼻子吸 氣 。 自，象 形 。 甲骨文 像 鼻 形 。 自的本義是鼻 子 ，因後來引申用作為 自己，而用鼻字來表示 鼻子的意思。

and means “to give” or “to confer upon.”

篆

自甲

The Way o f Chinese Characters

金 泠 篆

鼻子 bfzi nose 鼻首 bfyTn nasal sound/tone

鼻孑L bfk6 ng nostril 鼻頭 bft6 u the tip of the nose

29

associative compound

The ancient form of fctl

depicts two people standing side by side, meaning “to juxtapose.” The extended meanings of 比 include “close together,” “next to,” “to cling to,” “to compare,” “to compete,” “to model after,” “than,” etc. Can you tell

比 會 意 。古文的比字像 靠 在 一 起 的 兩 個 人 。本義 為 並 列 ，引申 為 靠 近 、 比較、對 比 、模 仿 等 。

what the differences are between the left and right part o f 比？

甲 乂 乂 金 / / 篆 /W

t 匕較 blji奂 〇 to compare; relatively t 匕賽 bTs含 i competition; match

associative compound

比如 bTrO for example; proportion H fcbm san bT er three to two

In the Oracle-Bone and

Bronze Inscriptions，幸 （ yCi) shows a hand holding a brush. You can see 幸 in the character 書 （ shO, book); M (hua, to paint; painting) and 律 (lu, law). The character 筆 combines the bamboo radical 从 and 幸， signifying a writing brush or writing instrument. The simplified character 笔 combines the bamboo radical and the character ^ (mao, hair; fur) since the nib of a

筆 會 意 。從 聿 （手持筆 形 ），從 竹 ，指手握竹子 做 的 筆 杆 寫 字 。簡體笔 字 保 留 上 邊 竹 字 頭 ，因 毛筆筆端用獸毛之故， 下 邊 改 用 毛 字 。屬新創 的會意字。

Chinese brush is made of animal fur and bamboo shafts.

篆 I

毛筆 mdo bT writing brush 筆試 bTsh) written examination

圓珠筆 yudnzhQbT ballpoint pen 筆畫 bThua strokes o f a Chinese character

The character 幣 consists of the scarf radical 巾 (jin) and the phonetic indicator pictqphonetic character

幣/ 币

(bi), originally referring to asilk fabric used as a present.” 幣 has extended to mean “a present,” “money,” “coin,” and “currency.” In the Oracle-Bone Inscriptions, the left part of

depicts a piece of broken cloth with

four big holes and the right part the tap/rap radical 3 C, meaning “shabby,” “tattered,” and “worn out.” 巾 looks like a piece of hanging clo th ， meaning “scarfT “towel,” or “napkin.” In die simplified 币， a left falling stroke replaces K in

篆 常 30

貨幣 hudbi money; currency 人民幣 r6nm 丨 nb】 PRC Currency (RMB)

幣 形 聲 。從 巾 ，敝 聲 。 本義指作為禮物的絲織 品 ，引申為禮物、財 物 、 錢 幣 。敝 ，會 意 。左邊 像 衣 物 有 洞 ，右邊手持 棍 拍 打 ，本義為衣服破 爛 ，引申為破舊、衰敗 等 。 巾，象 形 。像佩巾 下 垂 形 。簡化字币用一 撇代替繁體字幣上部的 敝字。

夕卜幣 w^ibi foreign currency 紙幣 zhTbl paper currency The Way o f Chinese Characters

ASSOCIATIVE AND PICTOPHONETIC COMPOUND

邊 /边

is comprised of the walk radical

邊

and the signifying

and phonetic element 鼻 （ bi巨 n，side), meaning “side,” “edge,” wborder,” or “next.” In the Bronze Inscriptions,

鼻 combines 自 (z'i， nose; oneself) with 旁 (p 含 ng ， side),

bian

referring to the sides of a nose. In Regular Script, ^ is the combination of 自，穴 （x u l cave)， and 方 （ f§ng，

side

square). In the simplified character 边， 力 replaces 鼻 .

金乂

篆 111

上邊 shangbian above; on top of 前邊 qi含 nbian in front

T i f i xiabian below ； under 後邊 h6 ubian behind

The character {E combines the person radical 彳with the character 更 (geng ，

associative compound

便 bian convenient

change), referring to the ways in which people create shortcuts to make things easier. Meanings of include: “suitable，” “beneficial,” “convenient,” “informal” (bi垚 n)， and “inexpensive” （ pi纟 n). In the Oracle-Bone Inscriptions, $

邊 會 意 兼 形 聲 。從:L , 鼻 (bian)聲 。鼻 ，會 意 。 從 自 ，從 旁 ，金文像鼻的 兩 翼 。 自，象 形 。像鼻 形 ，本 義 為 鼻 子 ，後引 申為自己。簡體字边用 力 替 代 鼻 ，屬符號替代 字 。元明時已有边字。

resembles a hand holding a spatula

便 會 意 。篆 文從人、從 更 。人 有 不 便 時 ，更改方 能使之安妥方便。更 ， 會 意 兼 形 聲 。 甲骨文字 形像手持鏟翻餅狀，引 申為更改。

to turn a pancake on a griddle. Hence its meanings: achajigcwor Kaltcmatc.M

方便 f^ngbi含n convienient

金 脅 篆 腫 更 甲 畀 金 f

bianlidian convenience store

pictophonetic character

遍 bian (M W for actions)

The character 遍 is

composed of the walk radical and the phonetic indicator 扁 (biSn，flat)， signifying “to walk all over.” Its extended meanings include “everywhere,” “all over，” “throughout,” and “one time.” In the Seal Script, 扁 is the combination of 戶 (hu, household) and M (ce, volume; copy) and originally meant a horizontal

隨便 sufbi含n as one pleases; casual 便宜 pi含 nyi inexpensive; cheap

遍 形 聲 。從 楚 （i _ ) , 扁 聲 。意為普遍、到處; 也用作表示次數的量詞。 扁 ，會 意 。從 戶 ，從 冊 ， 本義為題字的匾，引申 義指物體平而薄等。

board bearing an inscription hanging over the door. Nowadays ^ is used to mean Mflatw.In the Oracle-Bone Inscriptions, P is the pictograph of a single leaf door. In ancient writing systems, M depicts a scroll of bamboo slips bound together.

一 ® yfbian one time pubian common; universal The Way o f C hinese Characters

遍地 bi垚 ndl everywhere; all over the place qianbian wanbian thousands of times

31

In its ancient form, the

associative compound

character 表 looks like a fur coat with the fur facing out, signifying “a fur coat.” Later 表 came to mean outside, surface, appearance, to show, example, “chart,” or “form.” In addition ,表 refers to the children

biao surface; matrilineal relatives

of paternal aunts or maternal uncles or aunts, while

堂 (tang, [main] hall) is used for the children of paternal uncles. The original meanings o f 堂 and 表

表 會 意 。篆 文 從 衣 ， 從 毛 。古 代 以 獸 皮 為 衣 ， 毛 皆 在 外 ，故表字本義 為 外 衣 ，引申 為 外 面 、 外 表 、表 格 、表 率 、表 達 、外 親 （表 親 ）等 。

indicate that traditionally, children of paternal uncles were considered closer to the inner family and more important. In Chinese，表 親 (maternal relatives) are also called 夕卜親(literally “outiside relatives”).

甲 5 / 篆

S f f i biao mi an surface 表姐 biSoji爸older female cousin via female line

associative

In

compound

the

Oracle-Bone

Inscriptions, the left part of SO represents a knife and the right part resembles bone fragments, signifying the action of separating bones from flesh. The primary meaning of 別 is “to separate” or “part.” Its extended

bie other; do not

meanings include “distinguish,” “other,” “another,” and “do not.” In the simplified character 另lj， the right part is the knife radical U, just as in the traditional version, but the left bottom part is

which differs slightly from

夕卜表w含ibi含 o appearance 表現 bi含 oxi^rn behavior; performance

別 會 意 。 甲骨文從刀， 從 f t (gua) ， 本義指以刀 剔 下 骨 頭 上 肉 。另，象 形 ，与 f t 本 為 一 字 ， 甲 骨文中像剔乾淨用來占 卜的牛骨。簡體字别的 左 下 方 寫 作 力 ，與繁體 字別稍有不同。

the traditional character 別 .

甲 M

篆

別的 bi^de else; other 特別 t 会bi爸special; especially

and as an adjective meaning “iced,” “ice-cold,” etc. In

C

verb meaning “to cool things with ice,” “to make cold,”

w

and water 水，

signifying that ice is frozen water. ftK can be used as a

意用寒。 像 ;，可 到 涼 指 水外感變， 從另人西詞 從 , 。 使東容 冰指使形 意 冰成，冰做。 会 是結詞用用樣 思 或 可 一

The character 冰 is the

combination of the ice radical 7

冰 意指作冷也冰

associative compound

S>JA bieren other people ； others 別字 bi4zl mispronounced or wrongly written character

7= K

f iJ

some word combinations like 冰 糖 （ bTngt纟 ng， crystal sugar), ftK stands for an ice-like substance.

金 X •篆 蠕 32

冰禮 bTngxiang fridge 滑冰 huabTng to skate; skating

冰水 bTngshuT iced water 冰激凌 bTngjTlfng icecream The W ay o f C hinese Characters

The character 病 is made up of the sick radical 广 (ne) and the phonetic pictophonetic character

病

component 丙 (bTng, third), meaning “illness,” “ailment,” “sickness,” “disease,” “to fall ill,” “defect,” or “fault.” In Seal Script,广 looks like a bed for the sick.

bing illness; to become ill

The characters with the sick radical are often associated with illnesses or unhealthy conditions, such as

(ai,

cancer), 痛 （ td>ng, ache), 瘦 （ shdu, skinny), 癢 （ ySng, itchy), 'M. (feng, mad; crazy), etc. In ancient forms, ^ depicts a fish tail and later was borrowed to mean “third,” or “third heavenly stem” (see page 20 ).

生病 sh€ngb】ng tofallsick

篆 柄

看病 kinb】ng to go to a doctor 毛病 maoWng shortcoming; defect

bingren patient

phonetic loan character

不 bu

甲 P

In the Oracle-Bone

Inscriptions, the horizontal stroke of the character ^ represents the ground, and the three strokes underneath signify a germinating seed. TTie original meaning of 不 was M seed of a plant,wbut later was borrowed to mean « » « » no or not.

n o t ；no

金 不 篆 眾

不錯 bdeud not bad; pretty good 不久 bCijiCi before long; near future

associative compound

In the Oracle-Bone and

two footprints, one in front of the other. Its original

bu

The Way o f C hinese Character

不 假 借 。像種子萌芽即 將破土而出時的形狀， 是胚的本字。後多借為 否 定 詞 ，本義遂不用。

不同 bCit6 ng different; not the same 不用 bdydng neednot

Bronze Inscriptions, the character 步 represents

step ；pace

病 形 聲 。從 广 ，丙 聲 。 篆文广像是一張病床。病 古代為重病，引申為疾病 的統稱、缺 點 、毛 病 等 。 有广字旁的字多與身體的 疾 病 或不適有關，譬如 瘡 、疯 癲 、瘟 疫 、疼 痛 、 痰 、瘦 、癌 、癢 。丙 ，象 形 。意 指魚尾，後被借用 為天干的第三位，也表示 順序中 的 第 三 。

meaning is “to go on foot” or “to walk,” from which it has derived the meanings “step，” apace,” “stage，” “degree，” and “situation.” In Regular Script, 步 still bears a

步 會 意 。 甲骨文、金 文 、篆文像左右腳一前 一後 行 走 狀 。本義為用 腳 行 走 ，引申為腳步、 階段、地 步 等 。

resemblance to two footprints, one on the top and the

33

explicit character

The character 才 looks like

a seedling just breaking through the ground. The horizontal stroke represents the ground and the part underneath is the root of the seedling. The meanings of 才 include “just,” “only,” “not until,” “ability,” “talent，”

cai not until ；only then

gangcai just now; a moment ago

口才 koucai eloquence

才能 cain4ng talent; ability 天才 ti 豆 nc含 i genius; talented

ASSOCIATIVE AND PICTOPHONETIC COMPOUND The

菜 cai

dish- cuisine*

才 指 事 。 甲骨文中一橫 畫 象 徵 土 地 ，表示種子已 生 根 發 芽 、破 土 而 出 。 本 義 為 草 木 初 生 ，引申 為剛剛。

character 米 is composed of the grass/plant radical

廿 and phonetic and signifying component 米 （ cai)， meaning “vegetable.” In the Oracle-Bone Inscriptions, the character 3lt looks like a hand picking fruits from

菜 會 意 兼 形 聲 。本義為 蔬 菜 。從 艸 ，采 聲 。采亦 有 採 摘 之 意 。采 ，會 意 。 像以手採樹上果實。

a tree, and means “pick,” “pluck,” or “gather.” W hen

pictophonetic character

The character 餐 consists

of the radical 食 （ shf，eat) and phonetic element 奴 (c含 n)， meaning “to eat,” “food,” or “meal.” In the OracleBone Inscriptions, the lower part of 食 resembles a high-legged container full of food, while the upper part represents an open mouth, referring to the act of eating. In the Oracle-Bone Inscriptions, the character depicts a hand next to a skeleton or bones, meaning

餐 形 聲 。從 食 ，奴 聲 ， 意 為 吞 嚥 、吃 飯 。 甲骨 文 中 “食 ”字上邊像是 向下張開的嘴，下邊像 是盛滿了 食 物 的 容 器 ， 表示張口向下吃容器中 的食物。

“remnant,” “ferocious，” etc.

篆 貌 34

餐廳 c^ntTng dining hall 中餐 zhongcan Chinese food

餐館 c§ngu含n restaurant 西餐 xTcan "Western-style food The Way o f C hinese Characters

廁 /厕 ce

pictophonetic character The character 廁 contains the radical 广 （ yan，shed; roof; shelter) and

the phonetic element 貝1J ( z l rule; regulation), meaning “lavatory” or “toilet.” In the Bronze Inscriptions，貝1J is the combination of 鼎 （ dTng) and a knife.鼎 is a large, three-legged bronze caldron. In ancient times, laws and regulations were often carved on 鼎 . Hence ， 貝lj means “law,” “rule,” or “regulation.” In Seal Script,

toilet

鼎 is replaced by 貝 in the character 貝1J， but the knife part U remains. Mi] is a variant of MU, from which the simplified character 厕 has derived.贝 is the simplified form of 貝.

篆 藤 則 金 萍

鼎 甲 袞 篆 f

廁所 cesud bathroom; toilet 男 nance mens room

pictophonetic character

查 cha to check; to look up

The character 查 consists

of the wood radical 木 and the phonetic component _S (dan), originally referring to a wooden raft. S has been extended to mean “to check,” “to examine,” “to investigate,” “to look into,” or “to consult (a reference book, dictionary, etc)/* probably because one has to check a raft carefully before setting off on it.

is

composed of 0 and a horizontal stroke underneath, symbolizing the sun rising above the horizon •旦 therefore means adaybreakwor adawn.M

jiancha to check; to inspect

篆 脾

調查 di垚 ocha to investigate

pictophonetic character

In Seal Script, the

and the phonetic element ^ (yu), meaning tea. In Rgular Script，茶 contains廿 （ grass radical), 人 （ r4n，

The Way o f C hinese Character

公廁 g 6 ngce public toilet 女廟 n(ke women’s room

查 形 聲 。篆 文從木， 且 聲 。楷 書 從 木 ，旦 聲 。 本義一說是木按，一說為 砍 剩 的 木 樁 。引申義有檢 查 、調 查 、翻 檢 （查字 典 ，查 資 料 等 ）。旦 ， 指 事 。 一 代 表 地 平綫 ， 表示太陽剛從地平綫上升 起 ，本義為日出天亮時。

查問 chiwen to interrogate 查字典 ch含zldiin to consult a dictionary

character 茶 consists of 少屮（the grass or herb radical),

茶葉 ch垚 ye tea; tea-leaves 茶館 ch含 gu 含 n teahouse

廁 形 聲 。從 广 （敞屋）， 則 聲 ，意 為廁所。貝|J ， 會 意 。金 文 從 鼎 ，從 U， 因古代的法律條文曾經 刻 鑄 在 鼎 上 ，讓 人 遵 守 ， 本 義 為 規 則 ，也用作副 詞 ，表 示 轉 折 。因鼎、 貝二字在古文中形近， 篆文將則的左邊由鼎改 為 貝 。厠是廁的俗體字， 簡化字厕來源於厠。

茶 形 聲 。茶与荼本為一 字 ，從 艸 ，余 聲 ，本義 為一 種 苦 菜 。唐代時將 “荼 ”減去一筆而成為 “茶 ”。

茶杯 chab 吞 i teacup 紅茶 h6 ngcha black tea

35

associative compound

In the Bronze Inscriptions,

the character 差 consists of 麥 (mai, wheat) on top and

差

a hand and X (gong, to work) underneath, suggesting the act of rubbing off wheat husks with ones hands. Its extended meanings include “to differ from,” “to

cha/cha

fall short o f ’ “lacking,” “wrong,” “poor,” “not up to standard,” and “inferior.” In Regular Script, the top part

to fall short o f

of 差 is similar to 羊 (yang, sheep) and the bottom part is X .

差不多 chabCidu6 almost; about the same 差別 ch豆bid difference

pictograph

差 一 chayidian almost; missed by just a little bit 差 S巨ch巨 jCi gap; disparity

In its ancient form， the character 長 looks

like an old man with long hair and a walking stick. The original meaning of 長 is “long hair,” and the extended

長 /长

meanings include “long,” “length,” “strong point,” “be good at,” etc. W hen 長 means “head,” “leader,” or is used as the verb “to grow,” it is pronounced as zhang.

chang

篆倚

^

長城 chdngchdng the Great Wall 4 - R shengzhang grow ； grow up

pictophonetic character

InSealScript， 常 consists

尚 (shang, uphold; esteem). The original meaning of 常 was “skirt” or “clothes，” but later came to mean “often,”

36

長 象 形 。古字像一長髪 拄 杖 之 老 人 。本義為髪 長 ，引申義有長度、長 久 、長 處 、擅 長 等 。長作 為 動 詞 時 ，意 為 生 長 。

長期 changqT longterm 校長 xi&ozhang (school) president; headmaster

of the radical 巾 (jTn， scarf) and the phonetic indicator

chang

差 會 意 。金文上從小 麥 ，下 是 一 隻 手 與 工 ， 表 示 以 手 搓 麥 粒 ，當是 搓 的 本 字 。引申為相差 (差 不 多 、差 一 點 ）、 欠 缺 、缺 少 （差五分九 點 ，差 兩 毛 錢 ），不 好 、 不 夠 標 準 （成 績 差 、質 量 差 ）等 。

“constant,” and “ordinary.” In its ancient form , 巾 is

常 形 聲 。篆 文 從 巾 ，尚 聲 。本 義 指 裙 子 ，與裳本 為 一 字 ，後 分 開 ，常意為 經 常 、常 規 、 日常等。

a pictograph of a scarf， whereas 尚 resembles smoke

often; ordinary

drifting from a window.

篆淑

常常 changchang often; frequently 常識 changshf common sense; general knowledge

非常 f€ichang unusual; extraordinary IE 常 zhengchang regular; normal The W ay o f C hinese Characters

The character 場 is

picto p h o n e tic ch a racter

comprised of the earth radical d l and the phonetic element 胃 （ yang )， meaning “field,” “stage,” or “a large place used for a specific purpose.wIn the Oracle-Bone Inscriptions, the upper part o f 悬 is 曰 (ri, sun), while

chang

the lower part resembles sunlight piercing through the clouds.易 means “sun” or “sunshine.” W hen comparing

field

悬 with 易 (yl， easy), note that 募 has a horizontal line under the sun part. The simplified character 场 derives

場 形 聲 。從 土 ，昜 聲 。 古代祭神用的平地，引申 為 場 地 、處 所 等 。昜 ， 會 意 。從 日 ，從 勿 （ 像 陽光穿過雲層射出狀) ， 意 指 日 出 。簡體字场是 由繁體字場的草書楷化 而來。

from the cursive style of the traditional character

0

Q

昜 甲 \ 金

篆

f

商_ shangchang mall； department store 球場 qidchang ball field; sports ground

picto p h o n etic c haracter

The character 唱 contains

the mouth radical 口 and the phonetic component 昌 (chang, flourishing), meaning “to sing.” 昌 consists of 日 （ ri，sun) on top and 曰 （ yu§，speak; say) at the bottom. Its original meaning was “to speak openly” or

chang to sing

literally M speak under the sunw and symbolizes being truthful and frank . 昌 can also mean “prosperous” or

j

機場 jTchang airport 廣場 guangchang public square

唱 形 聲 。從 口 ，昌聲。 昌，會 意 。從 日 ，從曰 (説 話 ）。本義指光明 磊落 的 言 詞 ， 引申為美 好 、 昌盛等。

“flourishing.”

Q

篆 唱

昌

篆

卩昌歌 ch奂ngg€ tosingasong 演唱 ySnch Ang sing (in a performance)

picto p h o n e tic

character

The

合唱 hechang chorus; to chorus 卩昌片 changpi含 n gramophone record

character

超

is comprised of 走 (zou, walk) and the phonetic component 召 (zhao). Its original meaning is wto jump over,** from which it has derived the meanings

chao to exceed; to surpass

“to surpass,” “to exceed,” “to overtake,” “to excel,” “to go beyond，” “to transcend,” “superb,” “detached,” “super-，” “ultra-，” etc. In the Bronze Inscriptions, the

超 形 聲 。從 走 ，召 聲 。 本 義 為 跳 躍 ，引申義有 超 過 、不同尋常的、在 某個範圍之外等。召 ， 形 聲 。從 口 ，刀 聲 。 意 為呼喚、召 集 。

upper part of 走 looks like a person walking rapidly with arms swinging, while the lower part represents a human foot .召 is made up of 口 （ k6 u， mouth) and the phonetic indicator 刀 （ d豆 〇, knife), meaning “to call，” “to convene,” or “to summon.”

篆 餒

走 金 令 篆 0^

The Way o f C hinese Character

超級市場 chaoj丨 sh)chSng supermarket 超重 chaozhdng overweight

超人 chaor会n superman 超速 chaosCi to go over the speed limi

37

吵

p i c t o p h o n e t i c c h a r a c t e r The character P少consists of the mouth radical 口 and the phonetic element 少

(shio)， meaning “noisy,” “to quarrel,” “to wrangle,” or “to disturb.” In the Orade-Bone Inscriptions,少 depicts four grains of sand, suggesting “few,” “little,” “less,” “to be

chao to quarrel; noisy

篆 §

少 甲 ％ 金

short ofT and “missing.” In Regular Script， the bottom grain becomes a downward left stroke.

吵架 chaoji含to quarrel

眇 形 聲 。篆 文 從 言 ， 少 聲 。楷 書 改 為 從 口 。 本 義 為 喧 嚷 ，引申為爭 吵 、吵 架 、擾 亂 等 。少， 象 形 。在甲骨文像是四 粒 細 小 的 沙 子 。意指數量 不 多 、時 間 短 、短 缺 、 丟失等。

吵鬧 chaonao noisy

p i c t o p h o n e t i c c h a r a c t e r The character 襯 consists of the clothing radical ^ and the phonetic component

親 （ qTn)， meaning “lining.” 観 also extends to mean “place something underneath,” “provide a background for，” or “set off:’ In the Bronze Inscriptions,親 contains the radical 見 and the phonetic component 辛 （ xTn)， meaning “close” or “intimate.” In the simplified

寸 replaces 親 ， since the pronunciation of character 衬，

襯 形 聲 。從衣/氺 ， 親 聲 。意 指 内 衣 、観 最 。 親 ，形 聲 。從 見 ，亲 聲 。 本 義 為 常 見 ，引申為親 近 。簡體字衬右邊以寸 代 替 親 ，因寸與襯聲音 相近。

\t* (cun) is similar to that of IS (chen).

襯衫 chenshan shirt; blouse 織托 chentu 6 set off; serve as a foil to

a ss o c ia tiv e compound

成 cheng to become;

襯褲 chenkCi underpants fanchen set off by contrast

In the Oracle-Bone and

Bronze Inscriptions, the character 成 depicts the act of splitting something with a battle-axe Ixl (wu). Its original meaning is “cease-fire” or “to complete a task,” from which the meanings “to finish，” “to accomplish,” “to succeed,” “achievement,” “to become:’ “to turn into，” “capable,” “all right,” “established,” and “one-tenth” have derived. In the Oracle-Bone Inscriptions,戊 is the pictograph of a battle-axe. Later iX was borrowed to mean “the fifth heavenly stem” （see page 20 ) and “the fifth (in order).”

wancheng to complete chengren adult

38

成 會 意 。 甲骨文、金文 字 形 像 以 戊 （斧 型 兵 器 ） 劈 一 物 ，本義為休兵言和 結 盟 或 完 成 任 務 。引申義 有 完 成 、成 功 、成 就 、 變 成 、成 為 、成 全 、成 就 等 。戊 （ wCi) ，象 形 。 甲骨文、金文像一種刃 寬柄長的斧型古代兵器， 屬 斧 鉞 類 。後假借為天 干的第五位。

成功 chenggong success; to succeed chengwei to become The W ay o f C hinese Characters

picto p h o n e tic ch a racter

城 cheng

金 鉍 篆 擗

element $ (ch谷 ng， succeed)， originally meaning KwalL” Since all cities had walls in ancient times, M extended

cheng journey; schedule

城 形 聲 。從 土 ，成 聲 。 本 義 指 城 牆 。古代城市皆 有 墙 ，因而引申為城市。

to mean “city.”

城市 ch6 ngshi city 古城 gdcheng anceint city

picto p h o n e tic ch a racter

程

The character 城 is

comprised of the soil/earth radical i t and the phonetic

長城 ch含ngch6 ng theGreatW all chengbao castle； tower

The character 程 consists

of the growing grain radical tR and the phonetic element

呈 ， signaling the act of weighing or measuring grain. Originally @ was a general name of measurements of all kinds, and later came to mean “to measure,” “to assess，” rule,

regulation,

order,

procedure,

rormula,

“schedule,” “journey,” or “distance•”呈 is formed with

口 (k6 u， mouth) and 壬 (tTng， a person standing on the ground), representing a man standing on the ground

程 形 聲 。從 禾 ，呈 聲 ， 意指稱 量 穀 物 。本義為度 量 衡 的 總 稱 ，引申為稱 量 、規 矩 、程 序 、路 程 、 里 程 等 。呈 ，形 聲 。從 口，從 壬 。像一人站在 地 上 發 言 。意 為顯露、 呈 現 、呈 送 、呈 子 等 。

and speaking. It’s used to mean “to appear,” “to show，” to submit, and petition.

曰程 rlcheng daily schedule; agenda 里程 ITcheng mileage

picto p h o n e tic

吃 chi to eat

character

The

單程 d 芑ncheng single trip; one-way 言十程車 jlchengche taxi; cab

character

吃

combines the mouth radical 口 and the phonetic

乞 (qT)， meaning “to eat.” The character 乞 is derived from the character 气 （ q)， air) meaning “to supplicate” or wbeg for alms,wetc. In the Oracle-Bone and Bronze Inscriptions,

looks like three thin clouds in the sky,

meaning “air” or “breath.” Be sure to note the difference

吃 形 聲 。從 口 ，乞 聲 ， 意 為 進 食 。乞 ，本 為 气 ， 甲骨文、金文中像天上的 雲氣浮動狀。后省去一筆 為 乞 。乞由气字分化而 來 ，意 為請求、乞 討 。

between 气 and 乞 .

篆 呤 The Way o f C hinese Characters

吃食反 chTf^in to have a meal; to eat ,J、 吃 xiSochT snack; refreshments

好吃 haochl tasty; delicious 吃酉昔 chTcD to feel jealous

39

ASSOCIATIVE AND PICTOPHONETIC COMPOUND The character f t combines the roof radical ^ with the semantic and phonetic element 龍 (long, dragon), originally meaning “to worship,” “respectable,” or “glory.” Extended meanings of 寵 are “favor (especially of the emperor),” “to favor,” or “to pamper.” In the Oracle-Bone and Bronze Inscriptions, f | is the sketch of a dragon. In Chinese tradition, the dragon is considered an auspicious totem that can bring rain to the fields, and is also the symbol of the emperor•龙 is a variant form of f t , from which the simplified character 3ft derives. In tlie character 宠 , the “dragon” part is simplified.

寵/宠 chong to dote on

寵 物 chdngwCi pet

f t ® chong'ai to dote on ； to love dearly

寵兒 chdnger favorite

寵壞 chdnghuSi spoiled

a ss o c ia tiv e compound

on top of a cave dwelling, meaning “to go or come out.” Extended meanings of 出 include “to appear,” “happen,” “issue,” “produce,” etc. In Regular Script,出 looks quite

chu

甲 义 金 $

篆 必

出來 chQlai com e out 出口 chukou exit; export

a ss o c ia tiv e compound

初

40

出去 chQqu go out 出現 chQxi垚 n to appear; to emerge

The character W is made

up of the clothes radical 丰（ 衣 ） and 刀 （ d§o, knife), suggesting that “cutting cloth is the beginning of making a dress.” Its extended meanings are “beginning,” “start,” “first，” “original，” “elementary,” “basic,” “junior,”

chu

and “early.” Note the differences between the clothes radical 丰（ 衣 ） and the show/altar radical 才 、（ 不 ).

J

出 會 意 。 甲骨文、金文 中本字上部從止，下部 像 洞 穴 ，表示人從穴居 走出。

different from its earlier forms.

to go out

甲心

In the Oracle-Bone and

Bronze Inscriptions, the character ti) resembles a foot

出

寵 形 聲 兼 會 意 。從 〜 ， 龍 聲 ，龍亦兼表神聖之 意 。本 義 為 地 位 尊 崇 、 榮 耀 ，引申為上給下恩 惠使之榮耀、偏 愛 、驕 縱 等 。龍 ，象 形 。像傳 説中神異動物龍的形狀。 古 時 已 有 將龍字寫成尨， 簡化字龙是在尨字的基 礎 上 進 一 步 簡 化 。宠屬 於偏旁類推簡化。

初 期 chQqT initial stage

金 句 篆 辆

初 中 chQzhong jun ior m iddle school

初 會 意 。 甲骨文從 辛/衣 ，從 刀 ，本義為裁 衣 是 制 衣 之 始 。引申為 開始、第 一 次 （初 版 ， 初 戀 ，初 賽 ）、原來的 (初 衷 ）、最 低 的 （初 級 、初 中 ）、每月開始的 頭十天等。

初次 chQd first time 初學者 chQxu^zhl beginner The Way o f C hinese Characters

ASSOCIATIVE AND PICTOPHONETIC COMPOUND The character 除 is comprised of the mound radical P and the signifying and phonetic element ^ (yu, hut). Its original meaning was “doorstep,” and later came to mean “leave,” “remove,” “get rid ofT “except,” etc. The character 余 combines A (j I' gather together) and 木 (mCj, wood)， signifying “hut.” In classical Chinese 余 means aI.”

除了… 以夕卜 chdle".yTw含 i besides; except for 清除 qTngchO to eliminate; to get rid of

篆 II

picto p h o n e tic ch a racter

除非 chOf^i only if; unless 開除 k^ichCi to expel; to fire

The character 廚 consists

of (yan, shelter; shed) and the phonetic (shu), meaning “kitchen.” 封 combines 宣 （ zhCi， drum) with (cun, inch), suggesting the act of setting up a drum with hands ( refers to the hand in the character 3 ^). Hence , 射 means “to set up,” “to stand (something)

chu kitchen

up.MM is the variant form of ® and is now used as its simplified form. Note that in H the dot on the top of 廚 is removed and 直 replaced with

篆

S

S®

chufang kitchen bangchu to help in the kitchen

(zu, foot),

originally referring to a type of tree known in the West as the “Judas tree.” Since the branches of this tree were

chu

used to beat criminals, ® has been extended to mean “pain” or “suffering.” 楚 can also mean “neat” and

clear; neat

“clear.” In Regular Script, 疋 （ shQ， foot) replaces the 足 part o f IrT^vir J

甲 9

金 W

The Way o f Chinese Characters

；

篆雙

蔚 形 聲 。從 广 ，封 （ shd) 聲 。本義為廚房。封 ，會 意 。從 直 （ zhCi) ，從 寸 。 本義為樹立，是古樹字。 后加木字旁為樹。現在射 不單用。簡化字厨原是廚 的俗體字，去掉廚上面一 點 ，把下面的直改為豆。

廚師 chCishT cook 庸具 chCijCi kitchenware

picto p h o n e tic ch a racter In its ancient forms, the character 楚 combined the signifying part 林 (Ifn,

grove; forest) and the phonetic element

除 會 意 兼 形 聲 。篆文從 阜 （土 山 ），從 余 ；余亦 聲 。本 義 為 階 梯 ，引申為 除去 等 。余 ，形 聲 。 甲 骨 文 、金文上像屋頂， 下像支撐的木頭。本義 為 茅 屋 ，引申為剩下、 多 出來等。

S l and aE were the same character in their

楚 形 聲 。從 林 ，疋 (shQ) 聲 。 甲骨文、金 文 從 足 ， 從 林 。本義為一種落葉 灌 木 ，也 叫牡荊，因用 荊木作刑杖，引申為杖 刑 ，痛 苦 ，清 晰 ，整齊 等 。楚也是春秋時國名， 也特指現今湖北省。

ancient forms.

痛楚 tdngchG pain; suffering —清二楚 y)qTng erchO to be perfectly clear about something

清楚 qTngchO clear

41

a ss o c ia tiv e compound

The character ^

consists

of the radical 穴 （ xu4, cave; hole) and the character 牙 (ya, tooth), referring to animals creating holes with their sharp teeth. The primary meaning o f ^ is

chuan to wear; to pass

“pierce through,” and extended meanings include “pass

穿 會 意 。從 穴 ，從 牙 ， 表示用牙咬穿或掘洞。 本 義 為 穿 透 ，引申為 穿戴。

though,” “cross，” “string together,” and “wear.” The cave radical is also used in the character ^ (kong, free time) and 3^ in 03* (ya, a grammatical particle).

穿_ t chuanshang to put on (clothes etc.) 吃穿 chTchu吾n food and clothing

a ss o c ia tiv e compound

穿越 chuanyue to pass through; to cross 穿著 chu巨nzhu 6 dress; apparel

In its ancient form, the

character ® is the pictograph of a skylight. In Seal Script, a cave radical 穴 （ xue) is added to the top of IS (cong, the original form of skylight; chimney; funnel).

窗 originally referred to M skylightM and has been extended to mean “window•”囱 is the old form of 窗, but means only “chimney” today•穴 is a pictograph of a cave dwelling in Seal Script.

古 (2D

窗戶 chuanghu window 天窗 tianchuSng skylight

篆 翰 篆 阖

a ss o c ia tiv e

compound

Inscriptions, the character ^ bed

In

the

窗簾 chuanglian window curtains ffiW chuchuang display window

Oracle-Bone

牀/床 會 意 。牀 ，從 木 ，

depicts the outline of a

從 i i (pjin) ，泛 指 卧 具 。 爿 ，象 形 。像 床 形 。牀亦 寫 作 床 。床 ，從 广 ，從 木 。牀 與 床 是 異 體 字 ， 兩者通用，但舊時多用 牀 。簡 體 字 為 床 。

pan). In Seal Script, the character wood (Tfc)

is added to the right side of 爿， indicating that the bed

bed

is made of wood .床 is a variant form o f 牀 ， combining 广 (yan，shed; shelter) ancl 木， suggesting a bed is a wooden article used inside o f a house. The simplified character for bed is also 床 .

甲 42

起床 qTchu^ng to g e tu p 1^.^. chuangdan bed sheet

窗 會 意 。此字最初只有 下 面 的 囱 ，本義指屋頂 上 的 天 窗 ，篆文後在囱 上 加 穴 （洞 穴 ）以突出 窗 洞 之 意 。而囱字後專 用 來 表 不 煙 囱 。窗則表 示 開 在 屋 頂 、墙 上 、船 上 等 用 來 採 光 、通風的 洞 。穴 ，象 形 。像古人 居住的半地 下 的 土 窖 。 引申泛指洞穴。

單（ 雙）人床 dan(shuSng)i^nchu^ng single (double) bed chuangdian mattress

The W ay o f C hinese Characters

ASSOCIATIVE AND PICTOPHONETIC COMPOUND In the

春

Bronze Inscriptions, the character ¥ consists of grass 少 屮 (cao), bud

(tun), and the sun 0 (ri), representing a

vigorous “spring.” Its extended meanings are “youthful，” “ love,” “lust，” etc. In Regular Script, the upper part of'春

chun

resembles grass or plants growing from the soil while 曰 in the lower part remains unchanged.

春假 chQnji垚 spring break 春節 c hQnj i4 Spring Festival (Chinese New Year)

春天 chQntian spring 青春 qTngchQn youth

The character | 〇 ] consists of the word radical 言 and the character 司 (si, to

a ss o c ia tiv e compound

詞/词

manage), meaning “word,” “term,” or “statement.” In the Oracle-Bone Inscriptions, 司 resembles a hand over a mouth, symbolizing a person issuing orders. Therefore, the meanings of

are uto take charge o f

^manage^ etc. The speech radical is simplified to form the character 词 .

生詞 sh e n g d new word 名言司 m fn gd noun

a ss o c ia tiv e

次 ci (M W for occurrences)

compound

春 會 意 兼 形 聲 。金文從 日，從 艸 ，從 屯 植 物 發芽) ；屯 亦 聲 。春字是 春天陽光 普 照 ，草木萌 發 ，生機勃勃的寫照。 本義為春季，引申義有生 機 勃 勃 、男女情欲等。

詞 會 意 。從 司 ，從 言 。 司有主管義，表示人對 語 言 的 駕馭掌握。司 ， 會 意 。 甲骨文、金文 像把手遮在嘴上發號 施 令 。簡體字词為部 首簡化。

詞彙 dhu) vocabulary; list of words 動詞 ddngcf verb

In

the

Oracle-Bone

Inscriptions, the character 次 combines 二 (er，two) and [K (qian, yawn), referring to a person yawning again and again. The meanings of 次 include: “next,” second, time, order, second-rate, interior, and “the measure word for occurrences.” In Regular Script, the ice radical ? replaces the 二 part of 次， even though ice has nothing to do with the original meaning o f 次. In the Oracle-Bone Inscriptions,

次 會 意 。從 二 ，從欠 (張 口 出 氣 ），像人連連 打 哈 欠 狀 。意思有動作的 次 數 、順 序 、等 級 、次等 的 。欠 ，象 形 。像人打哈 欠 狀 。本義為打哈欠，引 申義有欠缺、虧 欠 等 。

looks like a man in

the act of breathing or yawning, originally meaning wto yawn.” Extended meanings of 欠 include “not enough，” “to owe,” etc.

上次 sh a n g d last time 每次 m iid every time The Way o f C hinese Characters

下次 xi^icl next time 名次 mfngc'i ranking

43

ASSOCIATIVE AND PICTOPHONETIC COMPOUND The character 5S combines the radical 5 (er, ear) and the phonetic element (cong). Originally IS referred to “hearing” or “hearing well” and has been extended to mean “quick intelligence,” “acute,” “clever,” and “intelligent•”悤 is made up of heart 心 （ xTn) and the

cong able to hear well; smart

phonetic IS (cong), meaning “agitated” or “hurried.” 囱 is the pictograph of a skylight and has been extended to mean “chimney.”

聰明 c6 ngming smart 失聰 shTc6 ng deafness; loss ofhearing 耳耳® 目明 erc6 ng mCjmfng can hear and see well; quick-eared and sharp-eyed

篆

compound In the Oracle-Bone Inscription, 從 contains two persons “从 ” with

a ss o c ia tiv e

one following the other, meaning “to follow.” Its extended meanings are “follower,” “to comply with，’’ “subordinate,” “to attend,” “from，” “whence，” “since,”

cong

and “through.” In Regular Script, the radical 彳 （walk

from

slowly; left step) and i t (zhT, foot; stop) are added to the two persons ( 从) to form the character 從 . In fact the simplified character 从 restores its original form.

甲 衫 金 W

聰 會 意 兼 形 聲 。從 耳 ， 悤（ cSng) 聲 。本義為通過 聽來明辨是非。引申為 聽力、聽覺靈敏、智力高 等 。悤，形聲。從 心 ，囱 聲 ，古與聰同義，後作為 匆的異體字。囱，象 形 。 像天窗形。是窗的本字， 後引申為煙囱。簡體字用 聪代替聰，屬同音替代。 清代已有此字。

篆取

從前 c6 ngqian before; once upon a time 月艮從 fik 6 ng toobey

從不 c6 ngbCi never 自從 zic6 ng ever since

picto p h o n e tic

character

從 會 意 。甲骨文像二人相 隨之形。楷書寫做從。從 字本義為相隨、跟 隨 ，引 申 義 有 跟 隨 者 （隨 從 ）、 聽從、從屬的、參 與 （ 從 政 ，從 軍 ）、以及作為表 示起點的介詞。從字簡化 為从，實際上是恢復了古 本 字 。元代已見。

The

character

醋

combines the wine jar radical ® (you) with the phonetic H1 (xl), suggesting something in a jar and meaning “vinegar.” 醋 has been extended to mean “jealous” or M envyr since the Chinese think such feelings are rather sour—like vinegar. In the Oracle-Bone and Bronze Inscriptions, the upper part of s looks like a flood and the lower part like the sun 日， referring to severe

醋 形 聲 。從 酉 ，昔 聲 。 本義為調味用的酸味液 體 ，弓丨申為嫉妒，如 “吃 醋 ”。昔 ，會 意 。 甲骨 文 、金 文 下 是 日 ，上像洪 水 泛 濫 、遮 天 蔽 日 狀 ， 指古代大洪水時期。

floods which overwhelmed the sun in prehistoric times. Hence 昔 means “the past” or “former times.”

篆 赠 昔 甲 苷 金 笤 篆 釜 44

糖 醋 魚 tdngcDyCi sweet and sour fish cuwei smell of vinegar; feeling of jealousy

陳醋 chencCi aged vinegar 吃醋 chTcCi to be jealous The W ay o f C hinese Characters

The character 錯 consists

pic to p h o n e tic c haracter

of the radical 金 (jin, gold; metal) and the phonetic element 昔 （ xT, the past). The original meaning of 錯 was “gold inlay.” Later it came to mean “interlocked,” Ragged,n 'grind,M'alternate," or 'wrong^ In the OracleBone and Bronze Inscriptions, the upper part of ^ looks like a flood and the lower part resembles the sun 日， referring to prehistoric times when there was an

錯 形 聲 。從 金 ，昔 聲 ， 本義為用金塗飾。昔 ， 會 意 。 甲骨文、金文下 是 日 ，上像洪 水 泛 濫 、 遮天 蔽 日 狀 ，指古代大 洪 水 時 期 。簡體字错的 部首由金簡化為韦。

extraordinarily big flood. Hence 昔 means “the past” or “former times.” Hie gold/metal radical is simplified in the character 错 .

A/VN

篆錄

昔 甲 0

aAa

金 〇

cuowu error; mistake

篆 釜

錯 字 cudz) incorrect character

a ss o c ia tiv e compound

The character

T

(ding)

depicts a nail, and originally meant “nail.” Later, the radical 金（ metal) was added to the left of 丁 （ 釘 ) . The character

combines the hand radical ^ with the nail

lB I b

chucuo to make a mistake

不錯 bQcud not bad; pretty good

打 會 意 。從 手 ，從 丁 。 丁 本 義 為 釘 ，用手釘釘 子來表示敲打。

conveying the act of striking a nail with a hammer. Hence 打 means “to strike,” “hit,” or “beat,” and its extended meanings include “to calculate,” “to make,” “to play (a game)，” etc.

篆种

打算 disuan toplan;plan 打針 dazhen to give or have an injection

pictog raph

帶/ dai to bring; to take; to carry

篆 帶 草 帚 The Way o f Chinese Characters

打球 daqi。 toplayball i J S I S da dianhua to make a telephone call

In Seal Script, the character 帶 looks like a

cloth belt tied into a bow (top part) at the waist (middle part) with the belt ends hanging down (bottom part). The original meaning of 帶 is “waistband” or “girdle,” from which derived the meanings “belt,” “band,” ribbon, string, tire, area, zone, region, to carry,” “to take along,” “to bring,” an d ‘‘to look after.，’ The simplified character derives from the cursive style of 帶 . Note that only the top part of 帶 is simplified.

皮帶 pfd螽 i leather belt 帶頭 d^it6 u to take the lead

帶 象 形 。篆文像腰間繋 的帶子。上部像束在腰间 的一根带子和用带打成 的 結 ，中间是腰，下為 帶 子 垂下的部分。本義 為繋在腰間的帶子，引 申為各類帶子、攜 帶 、 帶 領 、地 區 、連 接 、養 育 等 。簡化字带是繁體 字帶的草書楷化字，僅 上部簡化。

鞋帶 xiedai shoelaces redai tropical zone

45

pictograph

In

the

Oracle-Bone

and

Bronze

Inscriptions, the character resembles a Y-shaped stick with stones fastened to the top, referring to a kind of ancient weapon. Its extended meanings are “simple,” “single,” “sole，” “odd number，’’ “unlined (clothing),” “sheet,” “bill,” and “list.” The simplified character 单 derives from the cursive style of 單.

甲 ¥

金 ¥

篆單

jiandan simple caidan menu

pictophonetic character

擔 /担 dan to be burdened w ith

danhao odd number

名單 mfngdan namelist; roster

The character 擔 is made

up of the hand radical 7 and the phonetic component

M (zhan). Its original meaning is Mto carry with a shoulder pole,wfrom which the meanings ato shoulder,M “to be burdened with，” “to undertake,” “to endure” have derived.擔 means “shoulder pole,” and “a unit of weight (=50 kilograms)wwhen it is pronounced as dan. M is the combination of f 2* (yan, tall; look upward), A (ba, eight), and s (yan, words), meaning Kto talk too much.wToday M by itself is only used as a surname. In the simplified 担， 旦（ dan ， dawn; morning) replaces 詹 as the phonetic element.

負擔 fCjdan burden 擔保 danbao to guarantee; to warrant

(dan). Its

original meaning was “to be stripped to the waist.” It

dan

later came to mean “but,” “yet,” and “nevertheless.” A new character was created to convey the original meaning of 但•旦 is comprised of 日 with a horizontal stroke underneath, symbolizing the sun rising above the horizon.

但 形 聲 。從 人 ，旦 聲 。 本 義 為 袒 露 ，是袒的古 字 ，今 用 為 副 詞 或 連 詞 。 旦 ，指 事 。一代表地平 綫 ，表示太陽剛從地平 綫上升起。

, therefore, means J (dao) on the right, meaning arrive, reach, go to, or leave ror. in its ancient form ,至 depicts an arrow reaching its target,

dao

and means arrive, reach, extremely, and most.

to arrive

金

到 形 聲 。篆 文 從 至 ，刀 聲 。至 ，象 形 ，像箭頭 射中地面或箭靶狀。

韵

篆

看到 kAnd^o tosee 得到 dedao to get； to obtain

_

associative compound

找到 zhSod&o to find 遲到 ch 〖 da 〇to arrive late

The character M consists

of the walk radical i_ and ^ (shou, head), suggesting that a person is walking on the road. Thus,

means

“road,” “way,” “the (natural) way (of things):’ “method,” “doctrine,” and Inscriptions, ^

road; way

“Taoism.”

In

the

Oracle-Bone

looks like a head with hair on top.

道 會 意 。從 i _ ，從 首 ， 表示一人在路上向前行 走 ，意 為 道 路 、事 理 、道 教 等 。首 ，象 形 。 甲骨 文 、金 文 像 有 髪 的 人 頭 。

The primary meaning of 首 is “head,” and extended meanings include leader, chier, and nrst.

道路 dao ICl road; path; way 道家 daoji芑Taoism

金 淨 篆 携

associative

compound

i E S daolT principle; truth; reason 知道 zhTdao toknow

In

the

Oracle-Bone

Inscriptions, the character ^ resembles a hand holding

得

a cowry shell, suggesting obtaining money or something valuable. In the Bronze Inscriptions, the radical i (left step; walk slowly) was added, implying that one

de

to obtain; to

acquires valuable things while traveling. In Regular

dei

寸 depicts the hand, but 貝 （ bei，shell) becomes 曰 with 一' underneath.

得 會 意 。 甲骨文從又 (右 手 ）持 貝 （錢 幣 ）， 意指有所得。金文又 加 牙 （街 道 ），以示行有 所獲。

Script the 今part o f die character 得 remains the same;

must; have to

de (particle)

甲 A 48

金气f

篆 ！1

得到 dedao to get; to obtain 得意 cl^yl proud of oneself

得失 d4shT gain and loss; success and failure 覺得 juede to feel; to think The W ay o f C hinese Characters

pictophonetic character

The character 的 consists

of 白 （ b含 i，white) and the phonetic component 勺

的

(shao, ladle; spoon). Its original meaning was Mbrightcolored” or “distinctive.” Now 的 is used to connect an

de (possessive particle)

attributive to a noun. Both 白 and 勺 are pictographs. In its ancient form ，白 may resemble the bright rays spreading from the sun or a grain of white rice—

的 形 聲 。篆 文從日，勺 聲 ，楷 書 寫 作 “的 ”。 白，象 形 。像日出光芒射 出狀。一説像 白 米 粒 。 勺 ，象 形 。像用勺舀物。

scholars differ on the explanation •勺 is the outline of a ladle containing something.

我的 w6 de my;mine 別的 bi^de other; else

篆曰 》 勺 金 J

associative compound

大的 dhle bigone(s) 有的 ydude some

In the Oracle-Bone and

Bronze Inscriptions, the character 登 is made up of a pair of hands (bottom part) carrying a high-legged vessel 3 . (middle part) and a pair of feet ^ (top part),

deng to clim b ;to ascend

suggesting the act of ascending to a high platform and offering newly harvested grains to God or the king. In Seal Script, the hands at the bottom are removed. The meanings of 登 include “to ascend,” “to mount,” “to climb,” “to enter,” “to record,” “to publish,” “to register,” “grain harvest,” “ripe,” etc.

S lJL| dengshan to climb a mountain; hikirtg 登機 d€ngjT toboardaplane

甲

pictophonetic character

燈 /灯 deng

篆

魏

1

of the fire radical ik. and the phonetic indicator S (d€ng), meaning “lamp,” “light,” or “lantern.，， In the simplified character T (ding) replaces S as the phonetic indicator since their pronunciations are

登 甲 窝 金

The Way o f Chinese Characters

S i f t denggao to ascend a height 登言己 d€ngj】to register

The character 燈 consists

similar.

t

M'M diandeng electric light 紅綠燈 h6 ngl6d§ng traffic light

登 會 意 。 甲骨文、金文 中其字形下是雙手捧豆 (器皿），上是雙足向上 b6)，表示升階進獻 新 榖 。引申義為登高、 記 載 、刊 登 、登 記 、穀 物 成 熟 等 。篆文簡化而 去掉下面的雙手，僅保 留豆與八兩部分。

燈 形 聲 。從 火 ，登 聲 ， 指 照 明 器 具 。簡化字灯 把燈字左邊換成丁，屬 於 同 音 替 代 。其實灯是 燈 的 俗 字 ，元 代 已 見 。

路燈丨Cid€ng streetlight f i j S taideng desk lamp

49

associative compound

等

The character 等 consists

of the bamboo radical AA and the character ^

(si, to

manage; temple), meaning “to tidy bamboo pieces.” Extended meanings of 等 include “sort,” “equal,” and “rank.” After the Tang Dynasty,等 came to mean “wait.”

deng to wait; rank

In the Bronze Inscriptions,寺 consists of stop (止 ) and a hand ( 又 )， meaning “hold,” “handle,” or “manage.” Later 寺 came to mean “temple” or “monastery.”

等級 dengjf grade; rank; status 平等 pi'ngdeng equal; equality

pictophonetic character

地

of the earth radical i

等 會 意 。從 竹 ，從 寺 。 有 等 級 、類 別 、相 等 、 等 候 、等 等 之 意 。寺 ， 會 意 兼 形 聲 。金文從又 (手 ），從 止 。手之所 止 為 持 ，本 義 為 持 有 、 操 持 ，是 持 的 本 字 。 後借用為寺廟的寺。

上等 shangdeng highest quality; top-notch 等等 dengdeng etc.; and so on

The character 地 consists

and the phonetic component

iE (ye, also;, meaning earth, land, soil, ground, “floor,” etc. 地 （pronounced d e ) can also be used to link

地 形 聲 。從 土 ，也 聲 。 本 義 指 土 地 ，引申為地 區 、領 域 等 。

an adverb to a verb.

di earth

de

篆

I

地方 d】fang place; area; space

associative compound

地位 cHv^i position; status

In its ancient form, the

character ^ looks like a man with a bow on his shoulder. Some scholars believe the character ^ refers to a cord wound around something. The original meaning of 弟 was “order” and it came to mean “younger brother.” In Regular Script， we can still see the bow 弓 (g6 ng) in the character

Other than the bow, the top part of

弟 會 意 。像人身上背弓 箭 形 ，古時年輕人挂弓箭 祭 奠 死 去 的 長 者 。一説 上 像 總 角 ，下 像 腿 形 。 另一説弟本義指纏繞的 次序。

^ looks like a child's hair twisted in two knots and the lower part the two legs.

甲 50

弟弟 didi younger brother 表弟 biSodi younger male cousin

兄弟 xi6 ngdi brothers 弟子 cHzT disciple; follower The Way o f C hinese Characters

The character 第 consists and the phonetic element

pictophonetic character

第

of the bamboo radical ^

弟（ dl ， younger brother). The original meaning of 第 was “the arrangement of bamboo” and its extended meaning is “order” or “sequence■ ”第 is also placed

di (ordinal prefix)

before a number to form ordinal numbers. Please note the differences between 第 and 弟.

第一 diyT first; number one

第~ ■課 cHyTke Lesson 1 門第 mencH family status

cidi order; sequence

pictophonetic

character

The

character

點

combines the radical M (hei, black) and the phonetic symbol 占（ zhan ， divination), meaning‘‘speck” or “spot.” Extended meanings include “drop,” “point,” “a little,” “o'clock,” “to choose,” etc. In the Bronze Inscriptions,

dot; o'clock

the character H looks like a sweaty person whose face is blackened from the smoke o f fire.

is a radical form of

the character 火 （ hu6 ，fire). The character 占 consists of

卜（ bD， a crack on an oracle bone) and 口（ k6 u ， mouth), suggesting the interpretation of cracks on oracle bones. The simplified 点 retains the fire radical v、、、 under 占.

點鐘 dianzhOng o’clock

pictophonetic character

dian store; shop

>

點 形 聲 。從 黑 ， 占聲。 黑 ，會 意 。 甲骨文、金文 中像一個被煙熏火烤、 大 汗 淋 漓 、滿面污垢的 人 。 占，會 意 。從卜 (龜殼燒裂後出現的兆 紋 ），從 口 ，意指觀察兆 紋 解 释 凶 吉 。簡體字点 去掉黑字的上半部，把 ,、 、 、 移到 占 字 下 。明清已 有此字。

點菜 cMnc垚 i to order dishes (in a restaurant)

dianxin dessert; dim sum

店

第 形 聲 。從 竹 ，從 弟 ； 弟 也 兼 表 聲 。本義為竹 的層次，引申為次第、 順序。

MSfi zhongdian important point; main point

In Seal Script, the

character 店 consists of the soil/earth radical 土 and the phonetic element 占 (zhan), originally referring to a clay stand designed for storing things in the main room of a house. Later it extended to mean “store,” “shop,” “inn,” etc. In Regular Script, the shed/shelter radical 广 is used to replace the soil/earth radical i . It shows the progress of selling things inside a shed instead o f on a

店 形 聲 。篆 文從土， 占 聲 。本義為置放物品的 土 臺 子 。後改土字旁為 广 （敞 屋 ），有 商 店 、 旅 店 等 意 。店字展示了 由在土臺上售貨到在大 房内售貨的演變過程。

stage made of soil.

篆坫 The Way o f C hinese Characters

iSiiS shangdian store; shop 'M iS jiudian wine shop ； pub ； restaurant

shudian bookstore fandian restaurant； hotel

51

pictophonetic character

The character 5棠 is

comprised of the radical 石 (shi, stone) and the

碟

phonetic element 業 （ ye), meaning “plate” or “small

die disc ;saucer

Tfe® (guang die, compact disc). In its ancient forms,

dish.，> Certain objects similar to the shape of a plate are also called 碟 ， such as 飛 碟 （ f引 d i i UFO) and

石 resembles a rock (bottom pairt) underneath a cliff (upper left).茱 is the ancient form of 葉 （ y会 ，leaf),

碟 形 声 。從 石 ，栗 (y6) 聲 。本義為盛食物的小 盤 子 ，引申為類似碟子 的東 西 。石 ，象 形 ，古 文写法像山崖下的一石 塊 。業 是 葉 的 古 體 字 。

which looks like leaves (top part) on a tree (vfc) in the Bronze Inscriptions.

石

甲

金

[ 5 某金染

碟子 di^zi small plate 影碟 yTngdid DVD

associative compound

疋 ding settled;decided

character ^

光碟 guangdi6 optical disc; compact disc; CD ; CD-ROM 飛碟 f§idi6 flying saucer

In its ancient forms, the

is comprised of the roof radical ^

and

the signifying part IE (zheng, straight; right ；proper; correct), meaning settling down in the right place. Its extended meanings include “settled,” “stable,” “to agree on,” “to decide,” “to fix,” and wto be sure.” In the Oracle-Bone Inscriptions,正 is the combination of LI (wei, enclosure, here standing for a city) and a foot i t ,

定 會 意 。 甲骨文從& (房 屋 ），從 正 （止 [足]， 指 到 達 一 處 ，是 前 往 之 意 ）。本義指到 房 中 為 止 ，即 安居，引 申為安定、約 定 、決 定 、 規 定 的 、確 定 等 。

suggesting people marching toward enemy territory, from which have derived the meanings “righteous,” “correct,” “upright,” “precisely,” “just now,” etc. Note that in Regular Script, the bottom part o f 定 is no longer 正 .

甲 _ 52

金 ⑤ 篆 阔

安定 Snd'ing stable 定做 dingzud custom-tailored; to customize

決定 ji^d'ing to decide 一定 yfcHng surely The W ay o f C hinese Characters

pictqphonetic character

The character 訂 consists

of the word/speech radical i and the phonetic 丁 （ dTng)， originally meaning “to appraise through

訂 /订

discussion.” Its extended meanings include “to agree

ding to reserve;to book

on，” “to arrange,” “to make corrections,” “to reserve,” “to order (merchandise, etc.)，” “to book (a ticket， a hotel room, etc.),w Kto subscribe to (magazine, newspaper, etc.):’ or “to bind.” 丁 （ dTng) originally meant “nail.” Later, the metal radical $ was added to the left of ($丁) to mean “nail,” whereas 丁 is used to mean “male adult,” “robust,” “population，” “the fourth heavenly stem，” and “fourth.” In i 丁， i

is in its simplified form.

dingbao to subscribe to a newspaper

預定 yCicHng to book in advance

associative compound

The character 冬 consists of

referring to winter: the cold period at the end of a year. In its ancient form, the word ice

(blng) looks like

wfrost.w^ is written as ? when it functions as a radical. Make sure to distinguish between the ice radical 7 and

dong winter

甲 八 金 A

訂貨 cHnghud to order (goods) 訂書機 cHngshCijT stapler

“end” （ zh 6 ng) on top and “ice” （ bTng) at the bottom,

冬

冬 會 意 。上部為古文終 字 ，下部兩點水代表冰， 意指冬天是年終天寒地 凍到處結冰的曰子。

the water radical'?.

篆 參

冬天 d 6 ngtian winter 寒冬 h^ndOng cold winter

冬季 d 6 ngj) winter season 冬泳 d 6 ngy6 ng winter swimming

The character 東 consists of 曰 (ri, sun) and 木 (mCj， tree; wood), representing the

associative compound

sun rising behind a tree. Given that this scene may be observed in the east at dawn, the meaning of 東 is “east.” The simplified character 东 derives from the cursive style of 東.

草來 The Way o f C hinese Characters

訂 形 聲 。從 言 ，丁 聲 。 本 義 為 評 議 。引申義有經 商議後而確定、修 改 、糾 正、預 定 、裝 訂 。丁 ，象 形 。像平放的 釘 子 。後 借用來表示成年男子、 强 壮 、人 口 、天千的第 四位、第 四 等 。簡化字 订的部首言屬偏旁類推 簡化。

東方 d 6 ngfSng the East; the Orient 東北 dOngbii northeast; Northeast China

東 會 意 。從 木 ，從 曰 ， 以示太陽剛從東方升起， 以此來表示東邊。簡體 字东是繁體字東的草書 楷化字。

東部 dongbCi the east; eastern part 東西 dOngxi thing; stuff

53

懂 Consists of the vertical heart radical 'I' and the phonetic symbol 董 PICTOPHONETIC CHARACTER

(d 6 ng， to supervise), meaning “understancT or “know.”

董 combines the grass radical 廿 and the phonetic component 童 (tong). In the Bronze Inscriptions,

dong

童 depicts a figure with implements of punishment, carrying a heavy sack on his back, referring to Criminal

to understand

懂 形 聲 。從 t ，董 聲 。 董 ，形 聲 。篆 文 從 艸 ，童 聲 。童 ，金文像身背重 物 、頭 上 有 刑 具 的 人 ，指 男 子 有 罪 受刑罰的奴隸， 引申為童僕、兒 童 等 。

slave.” Its extended meanings include “boy servant,” “child,” etc.

dongshi sensible; thoughtful 看 H kanddng to understand by reading or watching 半懂不懂 bSnddng bCiddng to not completely understand

ASSOCIATIVE AND PICTOPHONETIC COMPOUND Hie character 動 combines 力 ⑶ ， physical strength; power)

動 /动

with the semantic and phonetic component S (zhong, heavy), suggesting the action of carrying heavy things with one’s strength •動 means “get to move,” “to change,”

dong

to act, to use, to start, or to touch (ones heart]. In

to move

the ancient forms, ZJ resembles an ancient plow and 重 is the sketch of a man carrying a heavy sack on his back.

動 會 意 兼 形 聲 。從 力 ， 重 聲 。本義為用力背起 重 物 ，引申義為位置或 狀 態 的 改 變 、使 用 、開 始 、感 動 等 。簡體字动 源 於 動 字 的 草 書 ，將其 中的重改為了云。

The simplified character 动 derives from the cursive style of Wl and replaces 重 with ~ZX.

草 动

活動 hu6ddng activity 動詞 ddngd verb

pictophonetic character

都 dou

動物 ddngwD animal 動 畫 ddnghu 含cartoon

W hen the radical P

appears on the right side of a character, it means “town” or “city” as ^

is derived from 邑 (yl, town; city;

county). In the Bronze Inscriptions and Seal Script, wP consists of the phonetic symbol 者 (zhe) and 邑 as the

all; both

signifying component, meaning “big city” or “capital”

du

wa ir (pronounced dou). In Regular Script, the upper

capital

part of 者 is the same as that of 老 ， but the bottom part

(pronounced dQ).都 is also used as an adverb, meaning

都 形 聲 。金 文 從 邑 ，者 聲 。本 義 為 都 市 ，引申義 為 全 部 （副 詞 ）。者 ， 會 意 。 甲骨文、金文中 像將食物投到鍋中煮。 者是煮的本字。

i s 曰.

首者P sh6udQ capital (city) 誰者P sh6id6u anybody; everyone

54

全都 quand6u all; without exception 都市 dQshi city; metropolis The Way o f C hinese Characters

The character S . looks like a high-legged food container. It originally meant “food container” and pictograph

was also used as a measurement in ancient times. Later

a

S was borrowed to mean abeans' apeasr or abean­ shaped,Mand no longer carries its original meaning of

dou bean

a food container.

甲 豆 金 H

篆S

綠显 liddu green bean 土显 tudou potato

pictophonetic character

肚 du belly; abdomen

M-3. huangdou soy bean 显腐 ddufu tofu

The character 肚 consists

of the flesh radical ^ and the phonetic component 十 (td)， referring to “belly，” “stomach,” or “abdomen.” fit also refers to the mind or brain in certain word combinations, such as 牽 腸 挂 肚 （ qi§n cMng gu 含dCj) “to be very worried about,” “to be deeply concerned.” W hen

豆 象 形 。像古代高腳的 盛食 品 容 器 。本義為古代 食 器 ，也曾作為古代的 容 量 單 位 。 （左 傳 • 昭 公 三 年 ： “齊 舊 四量： 豆 、區 、釜 、钟 。四升 為 豆 。”）後借用指豆 類植物。

is pronounced as du, it means tripe—the

stomach of a pig, cow, or ox when it is cooked and served. In the Oracle-Bone Inscriptions, i

>

肚 形 聲 。從 月 （肉月）， 土 聲 。本義為人與動物肚 子的部分，引申為内心、 物體突出的部 分 ；又指 牛 、羊等動物的胃囊， 讀作仙，在中國，這是一 種不錯的菜。

looks like a

mound of soil and means “earth” or “soil.”

肚子 dCizi stomach 牛肚 niOdO cow tripe

腿肚子 tuTdDzi calf (leg muscle) 羊肚 y含 ngdO goat tripe

pictophonetic character The character 短 is comprised of the arrow radical 矢 and the phonetic

element S . (dou, bean), meaning ^hort.5*In the OracleBone and Bronze Inscriptions,

is the pictograph of

an arrow. In ancient times people could use an arrow

短 形 聲 。從 矢 ，豆 聲 。 意 為 不 長 。矢 即 是 箭 ， 古人可用矢量長度，故 短從矢部。

to measure the length of other things, therefore the character

篆

恨

The Way o f C hinese Characters

has the arrow radical.

短信 duanx]n text message 長短 changduan length; right and wrong

短期 duSnqT short-term duanchu shortcoming; weak point

55

In its ancient form, the character 對 delineates a hand ( 寸 ） holding a tablet,

associative compound

meaning “to answer” or “respond.” In the past, an official often referred to his notes on a small narrow tablet made of jade, ivory, or bamboo, which he held in his

dui correct;toward

hands when discussing state affairs with his sovereign or answering questions. The extended meaning of 對 is

對 會 意 。篆文左邊一半是 板子，右 邊 從 寸 （ 手 ）， 本義為手持笏板回答， 引申為對答、正確、面對 等 。簡體对字左邊以又替 代 。明代已有此字。

“right” or “correct.” In the simplified character 对，又 replaces the left part o f the traditional character 對 .

甲

金

篆 _

對不起 d ⑴buqT I’m sorry; excuse me 反對倍 ndui to fight against; to oppose

associative compound

對話 du】hua dialogue f 針對 zhendui to be directed against; to be aimed at

In its ancient form, the

character 多 looks like two pieces of meat, meaning “extra,” “large amount,” or “many.” In Regular Script,

多 became one 夕 （ xT，sunset; evening) on the top of another 夕.

du5 many;much

甲 多 金 P

篆多

很多 hendu6 many; a lot of; much 多少 d u6s hao how much; how many

pictophonetic character

多 半 duOban most; mostly; most likely 多少錢 du6sh 含 oqi含 n howmuchmoney?

The character 餓 is

comprised of the food radical 食 and the phonetic element 我 （ w6, I)， meaning “hungry,” “hunger,” and “covetous.” Though 我 serves as the phonetic in 餓 ， it may help you to remember the character if you imagine

hungry

that it means that MIMam hungry and need to eat food. TKe food radical t

多 會 意 。多字像兩塊肉 形 。古 時 祭 祀 用 肉 ，用 兩塊以表示多。

餓 形 聲 。從 f ，我 聲 。 意 為 飢 餓 。雖然我在餓字 中是聲符，但可想成餓是 我 需 要 吃 東 西 。簡化字 饿屬於偏旁類推簡化。

is simplified to X to form the

simplified character 饿 .

jfe hunger; starvation; famine

篆 56

挨餓 ai’e suffer from hunger or starvation

eguT, hungry ghost

餓死 esT starve to death; extremely hungry The W ay o f C hinese Character

pictograph

In the Oracle-Bone Inscriptions, 而

而 象 形 。 甲骨文像幾縷 鬍鬚從下巴上垂下，本義 為 鬍 鬚 。引申義有但是、 並 且 、和 、到 、及 等 。

resembles a long beard on someones chin, originally meaning “beard .’ ’ 而 is now often used as a conjunction, meaning wand，’’ “but，” “moreover,” wso that,” etc.

erqie (not only...) but also; moreover fan'er on the contrary; instead

pictograph

兒/儿 er son ； child

然而 ran'er however; but 時而 shf•谷r occasionally

In its ancient form ,兒 looks like a baby

whose skull has not finished forming, means tcsmall child” and “son.” In Regular Script,兒 resembles a baby with a big head and two thin legs. The simplified form of the character (JL) uses only the bottom part of the traditional form ( 兒)•

兒子 erzi son 兒女 ernG sons and daughters; children

pictophonetic character

女兒 nfi'er daughter 哪兒 nar where

The character 發 consists

of the radical ^ (gong, bow) and the phonetic element 發 (b 含 )， meaning “to shoot an arrow.” The extended meanings of 發 include “to shoot,” “issue,” “emit,” “send out,** wutter,w'express,wetc. The character § combines

to emit;to issue

兒 象 形 。像頭囟未合的 婴 儿 。簡體字儿僅保存 兒字的下半部。

^ (bo, two feet) with (shu, throw a weapon), meaning “to trample” or “tread on.” The simplified

發 形 聲 。從 弓 ，從 八 (b6 兩隻腳相並) ，從 殳 （投 擲 h 本義為射箭。簡體 字发是繁體字發的草書 措化子。

character M. is derived from the cursive style of the traditional character 發.

發言 fSyan speak; to make a statement 沙發 shafa sofa The Way o f Chinese Characters

發燒 fc h a o tohaveafever 發財话 c纟 i get rich; make a fortune

57

associative compound

法

The character 法 consists of"

the water radical ? and the character i

(qu, to go).

The original meaning of 法 was “to live on a river,” and extended meanings include “standard,” “law,” “mediod,” and M way.wMany ancient cities were built on rivers, such

fa m ethod; way; law

金 I f

篆 路

that this practice became almost “standard” or “law.”

iiW falu law 辦法 bAnfH method; means; way

associative compound

煩/烦 to b other ； to trouble

yufa grammar

The character M consists

of 火 （ hu6, fire) and 頁 （y l originally meaning “head,” now meaning M pageM), implying that one has fire in one’s head. Meanings of 煩 therefore, are “to be vexed,”

顏 / 颜 (y垚n， face; color). The right part 页 is simplified to form the simplified character 烦 .

麻煩 m垚 fan troublesome; trouble; to trouble or bother sb. 不耐煩 bO n 垚 iMn impatient

ASSOCIATIVE AND PICTOPHONETIC COMPOUND The

fan to return

煩 會 意 。從 頁 （ 人 頭 ）， 從 火 ，表示腦袋發熱，煩 躁不安。簡體字烦右邊的 页由頁簡化而來。

tf， topic), 預/ 预 （ yCi， prepare), and also see頁 in 題 / 题 （

M A fanren to annoy; annoying 煩惱 l^nnao to be worried; worries

返

居是遊牧民族的規矩， 世界上不少古老的城市 也 都 沿 河 而 建 ，因此引 申為規律、法 律 等 。篆 文 簡 化 ，從 水 ，從 去 。

法國 f^gu6 France

“irritated,” “tired ofT “trouble,” “bother，” etc. You can

fan

法 會 意 。金 文 從 人 ， 從 口 ，從 水 ，從 薦 （ zm 公牛）。指 人 趕 著 牛 羊 ， 逐 水 草 而 居 。逐水草而

character ® consists of the walk radical semantic and phonetic element

and the

(fan, reverse; return),

meaning “to return,” In its ancient forms,反 depicts a hand next to a clifF, suggesting a person climbing the cliff on hands and knees. Its original meaning is “to turn over,” and extended meanings include “contrary,” opposite, reverse, return, oppose, rebel, etc.

返 會 意 兼 形 聲 。篆文從 萣 （i _ ) ，從 反 ，反亦 聲 。意 為 回 、歸 。反 ， 會 意 。 甲 骨 文 從 厂 (hSn山 崖），從 又 （右 手 ），表 示 人 以 手 攀 崖 。本義為 手 翻 轉 。引申義有相反 的、顛 倒 的 、回、反 對 、 反抗等。

i§.|U fanhuf to return 往返 wangfin to go back and forth; round trip 篆 返 老 還 童 话 他 〇 huAnt6ng to rejuvenate

58

The W ay o f C hinese Characters

pictophonetic character

飯/饭

The character 飯 consists

of the food radical 食and the phonetic element 反 (fan), meaning cooked rice,

meal, or

rood, in

its ancient form , 反 depicts a hand next to a cliff, suggesting a person climbing. Its original meaning was “to climb,” and extended meanings included “against,”

飯 形 聲 。從 食 ， 反 聲 。 反 ， 會 意 。 從 厂 (h5n 山 崖 ）， 從 又 （右 手 ）， 表 示 以 手 攀 崖 。簡 體 字 中 ，

“opposite” and “turn over.” Note the difference between

作為部首的f 一律簡化 為 t 。 t 由食的草書楷

the food radical 食 and die character for food 食 (5|1〇.

化而來。

The food radical X developed from the cursive of t and is always written as IT in simplified characters.

篆 鈉 草 奴

吃飯 chTfim to have a meal; to eat 午飯 wOfSn lunch

pictophonetic character

米飯 mTl^n (cooked) rice 法國飯 fSgu6 f^n French food

The character 房 is

formed with the radical ^ (hu, door) and the phonetic indicator 方 （ f§ng). Originally 房 meant “side room” and later has been extended to mean “room,” “house,” “building,” “a house-like structure，” and “a branch of a

fang house

family (in the past)M . In its ancient forms, P represents a single-paneled door, meaning M doorwor ahousehold.M

房 形 聲 。從 戶 ，方 聲 。 本義指正室兩邊的房屋。 引 申 為 房 子 、房 間 、類 似 房 子 形 狀 的 東 西 、家族 的 一 支 等 。戶 ，本 義 指 單 扇 的 門 。一 扇 為 戶 ， 兩 扇 為 門 。戶 引 申 為 住 戶 、人 家 、 門 第 等 。

fangjian room

房租 MngzQ rent

pictophonetic character

放

the phonetic element

放 is the combination of

(fang) and the tap/rap radical

欠 • Originally 方 夂means “to expel” or “to exile,” from

“to light up,” “to enlarge,” etc. In its ancient forms,夂

作 為 部 首 ，支 通 常 寫 做 夂 ， 被 稱 作 反 文 旁 “tap/ rap radical” ) ， 方 聲 。

depicts a hand holding a stick. You can see it in the

本 義 為 驅 逐 、 流 放 ， 引申

which derive the meanings: “to release,” “to set free,” “to place,” “to put,” “to put out to pasture,” “to stop，”

fang to put; to place

放 形 聲 。金 文 、篆 文從 支 pQ ( 支 指 手 持 棍 狀 ，

character 教 （ jiao, to teach), and as a component 欠 suggests the physical punishment a teacher would give a

義 有 不 約 束 、使 自 由 、 放 置 、放 養 、結 束 等 。

student in the past.

fangjia to have aholiday/vacation

金 M

篆 於

The Way o f C hinese Characters

放心 f^ingxTn be at ease;feel releived

fangyang to herd sheep

開方文 k吾 ifSng to open ； to open up (to the outside)

59

In its ancient forms, ^ resembles the two wings of a flying bird. Since these two wings are pictograph

非

opposite to each other, $ originally meant “to run against,” and later came to mean “to not conform with,” wrong, non-, not to be, to blame, etc.

fei not;non-

甲 八

篆

#

feichang extraordinary shlfei right and wrong; quarrel

pictophonetic character

三

由 於 兩 翅 相 背 ，本義為 違 背 ，引申為不是、不 對 、不 正 確 、責 備 等 。

feifa illegal

The character 啡 was

coffee ( 咖啡 ） and morphine (嗎啡)•啡 consists of the mouth radical 口 and the phonetic component

fei coffee

像鳥展開雙翅飛翔狀。

__洲 f^izhdu Africa

created to transliterate some English words, such as

K

非 象 形 。 甲 骨 文 、金文

(fei). In its ancient form, ^ resembles the two wings of a flying bird. Since these two wings are opposite each

啡 譯 音 用 字 。非 ，象 形 。 甲骨文、金 文 像 鳥 展 開 雙 翅 飛 翔 狀 。 由於兩翅相 背 ，本 義 為 違 背 ， 引 申 為 不正確等。

other ,非 originally meant “run counter to,” and came to mean “not conform with，” “wrong,” “non-，” etc.

咖啡 k旅 i coffee 咖啡館 kSf§igu5n coffee shop; caft

pictograph

飛/飞

In Seal Script,

resembles a flying bird

flapping its wings, meaning “to fly,” “flit,” “hover,” or

飛 象 形 。篆 文 中 上 像 鳥 頭 ，下像鳥身与展開

when used as an adjective, aswiftly.wIn Regular Script, the character 飛 combines 升 （ sh 否 ng, ascend; go up)

的 雙 翅 ，意 為 飛 翔 。簡

In the simplified character 飞， only the top part of 飛

體字飞僅沿用了飛字的 一 部 分 ，但 仍 像 一 隻 飛

remains, still resembling a flying bird.

鳥的輪廓。

and two

which look like the two wings of a bird.

飛機 fiijT airplane

篆

60

恭

咖啡因 k§f§iyTn caffeine 嗎啡 m雅 i morphine

feikuai very fast; extremely sharp

起飛 qTf引 （of an aircraft) to take off feipan flying saucer; Frisbee The W ay o f C hinese C haractt

ASSOCIATIVE AND PICTOPHONETIC COMPOUND The

費/费

費 會 意 兼 形 聲 。從 貝 ， 弗 （ fii) 聲 。 本 義 為 花 去

character f t combines the cowry shell radical M (bei) with the semantic and phonetic element ^ (fu, not), meaning “to spend money.” Its extended meanings are

錢 財 、消 費 ，引申為消 耗 、 費 用 等 。 貝 ，象 形 。

to spend, to use, to consume, to waste, wasterui,

像 貝 殼 形 。 弗 ，會 意 。

and “fee.” Cowry shells were used as currency in ancient

像捆箭桿而使之變直狀。 本 義 為 矯 正 。在 古 文 中

times. Therefore characters with 貝 are often related to money. In its ancient forms 弗 depicts the act of

常 用 來 表 示 否 定 ，類 似

straightening arrows by wrapping a string around them, suggesting “to straighten out” or “to rectify” 弗 was

現 代 漢 語 中 的 “不 ” 。 簡化字费屬於偏旁簡化

borrowed to mean “not” in classical Chinese. The shell radical 貝 is simplified in 费.

小費 xjSofd tips 費時侘 ishf time-consuming

分 fen penny;minute

(部 首 貝 簡 化 ） 。 學費 xu 彿 i tuition 費力佺 ill to take great effort

associative compound 分 consists of 八 （ b§ ，divide; eight) and 刀 (d 互 〇, knife), conveying the act of cutting

something in half. The primary meanings of

分 會 意 。上 從 八 ，下從 刀 ，指用刀將一物體切為

are

兩 半 。八 的 本 義 是 分 ，後

“separate,” “divide,” “part,” while extended meanings

加 刀 以 强 化 此 意 。分的意

include “share,” “distribute,” “distinguish,” “branch,”

思 包 括 分 開 、分 配 、辨 別 、分 支 、 以及錢 幣 、

“minute,” “fen” (the smallest unit of Chinese currency), etc.

時 間 、成 績 等 單 位 名 。

一

份 fen (M W for meal order,job )

fenkai to separate; to part yifen qian one cent

分別 f§nbie to leave each other; to distinguish liang fenzhong two minutes

ASSOCIATIVE AND PICTOPHONETIC COMPOUND The

份 會 意 兼 形 聲 。從 人 ，

character is composed of the person radical \ and the semantic and phonetic component 分 (f§n， to

從 分 ， 分 亦 聲 。 是 “彬 ” 的 異 體 字 ，本 義 為 文 質

divide), referring to wa portion or part (of a whole).5, O ther meanings of 份 include “unit,” “limits,” and

兼 備 。後 借 用 來 指 整 體 的

“one’s duty:’ It is also used as a measure word for meal

一 部 分 、劃 分 的 單 位 、 自身的責任、一些事物

orders, jobs, gifts, newspapers, reports, contracts, etc.

(報 紙 、文 件 、合 同 、 工 作 、菜 等 ）的 量 詞 。

篆

勝

The Way o f C hinese Characters

年份 ni含nf^n year 月份 yuef^n month

身份 shenf^n identity; status 一 yifen baozhT a copy of a newspaper

61

In the Oracle-Bone and Bronze Inscriptions, the right part of the character 封

圭 T

associative compound

封 會 意 。 甲 骨 文 、金文

is a hand (cun, \f*) and left part depicts a tree on the

中像用手在土地上植樹， 用種樹木來劃定疆界。

ground, suggesting the act of planting trees to define a boundary. Extended meanings of M are aboundary,w

feng (M W for letters)

“limit,” “seal,” and “envelope,” and it is also used as a

引申為封閉，書信的量 詞等。

measure word for letters (as in mail). In Regular Script, the tree part of i t is replaced with two i t . You can also see H in the character S (bang, to help).

信封 x】 nf€ng envelope 封鎖 f§ngsu6 to blockade; to block

associative

compound

In

the

封閉 f^ngbi to seal; to close fengjlan feudal； feudalistic

Oracle-Bone

Inscriptions, the right part of 月 艮consists of a person on his or her knees, and a hand, with a plate comprising the left part, signifying a person with a serving plate. The original meaning of 月 艮is “to serve” or “wait upon,”

服 會 意 。 甲骨文從凡 (盤 ） ，從 跪 人 ，從 手 ， 表示人跪着端盤服侍。 衣服為其引申義。

and the extended meanings include “to take,” “to wear,” “clothing,” etc. In Regular Script, the flesh radical 月 replaces the left part of 月 艮， while the right part is the same as the right part of the character

甲 ，

金 _

篆納

月艮矛务fuwu to serve; service 衣服 yTfu clothes

月艮矛务胃fuwuyuan waiter; waitress; attendant 舒服 shQfu comfortable; feeling well

In the character 腐，肉 (r6u, meat; flesh) suggests the meaning while 府 （ fD)

pictophonetic character

腐

provides the pronunciation, meaning wto decay5* or

fu rotten ;to turn bad

the abbreviated form for “tofu.” In its ancient forms,肉

^rotten." Meat rots easily at normal temperature. Its extended meanings include “corrupt,” “obsolete,” and

腐 形 聲 。從 肉 ，府 聲 。 本 義 指 東 西 腐 爛 ， 引申 義 有 腐 敗 、迂 腐 、豆腐 的 簡 稱 等 。 肉 ，象 形 。 像切下的一塊帶骨頭的

is the pictograph of ribs with meat and means “meat.”

肉形。 肉作為偏旁時寫

As a radical，肉 is usually written as 月.府 contains the

作 月 。府 ，形 聲 。從 广

shelter/roof radical

(yan) and the phonetic indicator

(簡 易 房 ） ，付 聲 。

付 (fu, to pay), meaning “mansion,” “government office,” etc.

腐蝕 fdshf to erode; corrode 腐 化 fOhu备degenerate; corrupt

62

腐敗 fObi rotten; corruption 显腐 d6ufu tofii; bean curd The W ay o f Chinese Characters

pictograph

In its ancient forms, the character X

shows a strong hand stretching out holding a stone ax—

父

an important tool and weapon in primitive society— and is a vivid indication of the idea of “father•”父 has been extended to mean M male relative of a senior generation” or “a person who has invented or started

fu father

something significant.” 父 親 ( fuqin, father) is a rather formal word for father. When Chinese people address their fathers, they usually use 爸 爸 (baba, dad; father)

父 象 形 。 甲 骨 文 、金文 像 手 持 斧 做 工 形 。 因父 親多是一家中辛苦勞作 之 人 ，故 本 義 指 父 親 ， 引 申 指 男 性 長 輩 ，尤指 家族或親戚中的男性长 者 。也 用 來 指 在 某 一 領 域或偉業的開創者。

instead of 父親 .

甲 8

金 义 篆 吁

祖父 zDfO (paternal) grandfather 伯父 b6fCi father s brother; uncle

父親 fCiqin father 父母 fCimO parents

> I

~n

associative compound

In the Bronze Inscriptions,

the character ^ consists of a person and a hand, signifying a person passing something to another.

付

Therefore， , since they are shared by the residents o f a city. In Regular Script,邑 is simplified in 巷 .

海港 haig含 ng seaport; harbor 香港 xiSnggSng Hong Kong

pictograph

高 gao tall;high

In

the

Inscriptions, the character

Oracle-Bone irj

港 會 意 兼 形 聲 。從 》 ， 從 巷 ，巷 亦 聲 。本義指 與江河湖泊相通的小河 道 ，引申義有港口、港 灣 、香 港 的 簡 稱 。巷 ， 會 意 。意 指 較 窄的街道、 胡 同 。篆 文 上 從 共 ，下 從 邑 ，表示巷子是城中 大 家 共 用 的 道 路 。楷書 巷字中邑簡化。

港口 g 含ngk6u port; harbor 港幣 gSngb) Hong Kong dollar

and

Bronze

looks like a tall building

高 象 形 。像高聳的樓 臺。

with a tower above and walls with a gate underneath, conveying the meanings “tall,” “high,” and “above average.w W hen you memorize the character, try to imagine a two-story building with a gate on each level. Don’t forget the tower on the top!

gaoda tall; lofty

提尚 tfgao to raise; to increase

66

剛 會 意 。甲骨文以刀斷 網來表示物體堅硬。本義 指堅硬、堅利，引申義有 剛毅、旺盛、剛才、正好 等 。剛在篆文中變為形聲 字 ，從 ll，岡 （ gang)聲 。 岡，會意。篆文從山從 网，指山梁如网狀。意为 山脊。岡的簡體字為冈， 元代已見。簡化字刚左邊 的冈簡化，右邊不變。

高興 g^oxing happy; glad 局級 gaojf high level; high grade; advanced The Way o f Chinese Characters

p i c t o p h o n e t i c c h a r a c t e r 糕 consists of the rice radical 米 and the phonetic 盖 （ gao, lamb), meaning

“cake.” The character 黑 contains the goat/sheep component (羊 y含 ng) on top and the fire radical (;、 、 、 ） underneath, referring to a lamb being roasted over fire. Compare ^ with the character H (mei, beautiful).

dangao cake gaodian pastry; cake

a ss o c ia tiv e compound In the Oracle-Bone Inscriptions, 告 is comprised of 牛 （ niO, ox) and 口

(kou, mouth), referring to the sound an ox makes. Extended meanings include “inform，” “tell,” “notify,” “declare,” “sue,” etc. In its ancient form, the character 牛

gao to tell;to inform

糕 形 聲 。從 米 ，羔 聲 ， 本 義 指 用 米 粉 、麵粉或 豆 粉 製 成 的 糕 餅 。羔 ， 甲 骨 文 、金 文 上 從 羊 ， 下 從 火 ，表 示 烤 小 羊 。 本義為小羊羔。

niangao rice cake

糟糕 z 巨 og§o too bad; terrible

吿 會 意 。 甲骨文從口， 從 牛 。本 義 為 牛 叫 ，引申 為 上 報 、 告 訴 、佈 告 等 。

depicts an ox head as viewed from the front.

^

d/ O

報告 b纟 ogao to report; report; paper; lecture 警告 jTnggao to warn; to admonish

告訴 gaosu to tell; to inform guanggao advertisement:

a ss o c ia tiv e

compound

In

the

Oracle-Bone

Inscriptions, nj (ke) resembles a mouth exhaling, and meant “approve” or “okay.” The character 哥 consists of two characters, one on the top o f the other, showing someone opening his or her mouth to sing. Therefore, the original meaning of 哥 was “to sing,” but later came

哥 會 意 。從 二 可 。可有 歡 樂 的 意 思 ，表 示 聲聲相 連 歌 不 斷 ，樂 在 其 中 ， 是 歌 的 本 字 。后 稱 兄 為 哥 ，遂 加 欠 作 歌 。

to mean “elder brother.” For the word “sing,” 欠 (qi^in， yawn; breathe) is added to the right part of 哥(歌 g § ， sing). Does anyone have a big brother who always opens his big mouth to sing?

篆

f

The Way o f C hinese Charactei

哥哥 ggge older brother 大哥 d^ige eldest brother

哥們兒 g 自 menr Brothers!; brethren; dude (colloquial) 二哥 erge second brother

67

picto p h o n etic ch a racter

T h e c h a ra c te r 歌

歌 形 聲 。從 欠 （人張口 出 氣 ），哥 聲 。本義為 高聲吟誦。

is

c o m p o s e d o f th e ra d ic al C K (q ia n , to y aw n; b re a th e ) a n d th e p h o n e tic c o m p o n e n t I f (g e , e ld e r b r o th e r ) , m e a n in g

ge song

“s o n g ”

or

“sing.”

In

th e

O ra c le -B o n e

In s c rip tio n s ,欠 lo o k s lik e a k n e e lin g p e rs o n y a w n in g o r b r e a th in g w ith a n o p e n m o u th . C h a ra c te rs c o n ta in in g o fte n have s o m e th in g to d o w ith th e m o u th , fo r i n s t a n c e ,吹 （ chuT，b l o w ) ,歎 / 叹 （ tiin, sigh).

金

!J

唱 歌 c h a n g g § to s in g a s o n g

歌慮！J g 旬Cj o p e ra

歌 手 g e s h d u sin g er; v o c a list

歌 星 gexTng sin g in g sta r; fa m o u s sin g e r

PICTOPHONETIC CHARACTER 個 c o n sists o f t h e p e rs o n

個/个

c o n so lid a te ). { 0 is a c o m m o n m e a su re w o r d f o r p e o p le a n d o th e r n o u n s. @ h a s P

ge (M W for general people/things)

個 形 聲 。從 人 ， 固 聲 。固 ，從 口 ，從 古 ，指 城 四 周 有 墙 保 護 ，便可永 固不破，引 申 為 堅 硬 ，牢 固等。个 象 形 。竹像兩 根 並 生 的 竹 子 ，个為一根 竹 子 ，本用以指竹子的數

ra d ic a l 彳 a n d th e p h o n e tic e le m e n t 固 (g u , so lid ;

^

(w ei, en clo se ) o u ts id e a n d

(g u , a n c ie n t) in sid e, in d ic a tin g a n in v in c ib le city.

古 is th e c o m b in a tio n o f 十 (shf, te n ) a n d 口 (k 6 u , m o u th ) , su g g e stin g th e w ay in w h ic h a n c ie n t sto ries are p a sse d d o w n orally. T h u s, 古 m e a n s “a n c k n t.” M a n y

量 ，擴大範圍以後用作量 詞 。後 另 造 “個 ”字 ，簡 化 後 仍 為 “个 ”。

c o m p le x C h in e s e c h a ra c te rs are c o m b in a tio n s o f a few sim p le c h ara cte rs, so y o u c an le a rn several c h a ra c te rs a t o n c e •個 w as o rig in a lly w r itte n as 个 ， a n d th e sim p lified c h a ra c te r 个 re sto res th is o rig in a l fo rm .

/h土

篆固

z h e g e th is ; th is o n e

{0A

g e x in g p e rs o n a lity ; in d iv id u a l c h a ra c te r

個 子 gezi

PICTOPHONETIC CHARACTER 給 co n sists o f th e silk

給/给

ra d ic al %. a n d th e p h o n e tic sy m b o l S in ce silk is c o n s id e re d a g o o d gift, to p ro v id e ,

give,

(h e , close). is u se d to m e a n

g ra n t, a n d to r th e b e n e n t or. In

its a n c ie n t fo rm , th e c h a ra c te r ^

re se m b le d a

c o n ta in e r w ith a lid , m e a n in g “to close,” “sh u t,” “g e t to g e th e r:’ a n d “m a tc h .” T h e sim p lifie d c h a ra c te r 给 c o n ta in s th e sim p lifie d fo rm o f th e silk rad ical.

篆給 68

g e re n in d iv id u a l；p e rs o n a l h e ig h t; sta tu re ; b u ild

給 形 聲 。從 糸 ，合 聲 。 本 義 為 豐 足 ，引申為供 給 、給 与 等 。合 ，上像容 器 的 蓋 子 ，下像容器本 身 。蓋 子 蓋 在 容 器 上 ， 意 指 合 攏 。簡體字给的 部首簡化。

交 給 jia o g 吞i to h a n d over; t o tu r n in

送 給 s d n g g e i to s e n d ; to give as a p re s e n t

借 給 j i 会gei to le n d to so m e o n e

給 力 g 爸iH c o o l; n ifty ; aw esom e

The Way o f C hinese Characters

跟 gen with ;and

p i c t o p h o n e t i c c h a r a c t e r S艮has the foot radical 足 and the phonetic component 艮 （ gen ).跟 originally

referred to M heel,Mfrom which the meanings ufollowr “with,” and “and” derived. You can also see 艮 in the

跟 形 聲 。從 足 ， 艮聲。 本義為腳 後 跟 ，引申為 跟 隨 ，還 可 作 連 詞 。

character f 艮 (h!n, very). In the Oracle-Bone and Bronze Inscriptions, the upper part of 艮 is a big eye and the lower part is a person, indicating someone turning back to stare. The meanings of 艮 are “disobey,” wtough,” “blunt,” and “straightforward.”

腳跟 ji5og€n heel 跟隨 g 色 nsuf tofollow

篆 鍀 艮 甲 f

a ss o c ia tiv e

compound

In

the

高跟鞋 g§og€nxi6 high-heeled shoes 跟蹤 g€nz6ng to follow someone’s tracks; to tail

Oracle-Bone

Inscriptions, the character M resembles a hand using a spatula to turn a pancake over on a griddle, meaning Mto change” or “to alternate” （pronounced geng )•更 can be used as an adverb meaning “even more” and “furthermore” (pronounced g 谷 ng). You will also

geng

M S f gengxln to update 更衣室 gengyTshi fitting room; locker room

In the Oracle-Bone and Bronze Inscriptions， the upper part of 公 is 八 （ ba ，

a ss o c ia t iv e compound

公 gong public

甲 公 金 凸 篆 M The Way o f C hinese Characters

eight) and the lower part resembles a container. The original meaning of A was to divide something into two parts. Therefore, ^ means to evenly divide things in a container. The extended meanings of ^ are wfair,w

更 會 意甲骨文從支 (手 持 鏟 ），從 丙 （餅 鐺 ） ，意 指 持 鏟 翻 餅 。 引 申 為 改 換 、更 加 等 。

M lE gengzheng to correct 更力口 gengjia even more

公 會 意 。篆文從八 (分 ），從 厶 （ ST私）。 甲骨文、金 文 從 八 ，從口 (指 容 器 口 ），表示平 均分配容器中的東西。

impartial, public, collective, etc.

辦公 ban’gong to do office work 公園 g6ngyu 纟n park

公司 g6ngsT company; firm; corporation 公寓 g6ngyCj apartment

69

ASSOCIATIVE AND PICTOPHONETIC COMPOUND The character

功

功 會 意 兼 形 聲 。從 力 ， 從 工 ；工 亦 聲 。力 ， 盡 力 ；工 ，工 作 。盡力 工作必有功勞功績。

consists of the radical and phonetic

element X (gong, work) and the signifying component (l'i, strength ； power), suggesting one working with all one's strength. The meanings of 功 include “meritorious

gong

deed,” “skill，” “effect,” and “success•”

用功 yd>ngg6ng diligent; to study hard 功課 g6ngke homework; classwork

a ss o c ia tiv e compound

功夫 gongfu skill; kungfu 成功 chenggong success; to succeed

In the Oracle-Bone and

共 會 意 。 甲骨文、金文 像用雙手捧一塊碧玉形。 本 義 為 供 奉 ，供 給 ，引 申義有拱手、環 繞 、 合 計 、共 同 等 。

Bronze Inscriptions, die character 共 represents two

H

hands holding a piece of jade, meaning to wpresent jade or offerings.” Since one uses both hands to present a gift,

共 extends to mean “together,” “altogether,” “in company,” “common,” “share,” etc.

甲 f0>{

金

篆

H

公共 g6ngg6ng public 共和國 g6nghegu6 republic

一共 yfgdng altogether 共同 gdngt6ng common; jointly

picto p h o n etic cha r acter

The character ^ is made

狗 形 聲 。篆文從犬 (否），句 （ g6u) 聲 。 《说 文 》 曰：大 者 为犬， 小 者 为 狗 。狗本義為狗 崽 ，後 泛 指 犬 。句 ，會意 兼 形 聲 。古 文 字 從 口 ， H (p ， 曲折） 聲 。本義為 語 調 曲 折 ，引申為句子。 中文中有不少對狗， 或 像 狗 的 行 為的 蔑 稱 ， 如 狗 腿 子 、狗 奴 才 。

of the dog radical ^ and the phonetic 句 （ jCi;g6u)•狗 originally meant apuppy,55 but later refers to all dogs. In ancient writing systems,句 combines the mouth radical P and the phonetic M (jiu, hook; entangled). Originally "n] referred to the rises and falls of intonation, from which the Chinese derived the meaning asentence.wThe dog is a beloved animal in Western culture, but in Chinese culture it is often regarded as unpleasant. Thus 狗 (like other characters with the dog radical ^ ) carries with it some negative connotations.

篆 70

f

langgou wolf dog; wolfhound rgu

熱狗 各6 hotdog

z ug6u running dog; lackey g6utu了zi henchman; hired thug

走狗 6 狗腿子

The W ay o f C hinese Characters

PICTOPHONETIC CHARACTER 夠 consists of the signifying component 多 （ du6 ，many; a lot) and the

夠/够

phonetic symbol 句 (gou/ju), meaning 'enough,，J “more than enough,” etc. This character can be written in two ways:夠 or 够 • In its ancient forms， the character

gou enough

多 looks like two pieces of meat， meaning “many,” “a large amount,” or “extra.” In Regular Script,多 became one 夕 （ xT，sunset; evening) on top of another 夕. In ancient writing systems,句 combines the mouth radical

口 and the phonetic H (j id， hook) to refer to rises and falls o f intonation. Later

多 甲 多 金 § 篆多

came to mean Sentence.w

足夠 zOgdu enough; sufficient 夠吃 gduchT enough to eat

a ss o c ia t iv e compound

夠用 gduydng enough to use/spend 夠本 gduben to break even

The character 古 is the

combination of 十 （ shf，ten) and 口 （ k6u，mouth),

占

suggesting an ancient time when stories were passed down orally from people to people. Thus, the meanings or p are ancient, age-old, old, classical, paieo-, and “antiquity.”

PICTOPHONETIC CHARACTER 顧 is composed 〇 f 頁 (ye, head; page) and the phonetic component M (gu). Its original meaning was “to turn and look”or “to look back”. The extended meanings include “to look at,” “to look after,” “to attend to,” “to care for,” “to visit,” etc.

gu

In the Oracle-Bone Inscriptions, M depicts a person with an oversized head and originally meant “head.”

to look after; to attend to

雇 combines 隹 (zhuT，short-tailed bird) and 戶 (hCi， household), referring to a bird that flies to peasants* homes in Spring, when laborers are hired to work the fields•雇 extended to mean “to hire.” The simplified 顾 derives from the cursive style of (S.

篆

R

草颁 頁 甲

The Way o f Chinese Characters

t

金 賞 篆

I

草炎

古 會 意 。從 十 ，從 口 。 十 意 指 多 ，用很多人以口 口相傳的事來表示年代遠 久 。在有文字之前，古代 的事只能靠口口相傳。

古人 guren the ancients 考古 kaogO archaeology

古 代 gflc^i ancient times 古蹟 gdjT historic site

顧 /顾

夠 形 聲 。從 多 ，句 聲 。 主要意思指從數量上滿 足 需 要 。多 ，會 意 。多 字像兩塊 肉 形 。古時祭 祀 用 肉 ，用兩塊以表示 多 。句 ，會 意 兼 形 聲 。 古 文 字 從 口 ， H (ji〇纏 繞 、 曲折）聲 。本義為語 調 曲 折 ，引申為句子。

顧問 gCjwen consultant 照顧 zhaogu to take care of

顧 形 聲 。從 頁 ，雇 聲 。 本義為回頭看。引申義有 看 、照 顧 、光 顧 等 。頁 ， 象 形 。 甲骨文像頭部突出 的人形，本 義 為 頭 ，引申 為 書 頁 。雇 ，從 隹 ，從 戶 ，戶 亦 聲 。本義是指一 種飛到農戶家以示農耕季 節開始的候鳥，引申為雇 用 。簡化字顾是顧字的草 書 楷化字。 回雇頁 hufg Ci to look back; to review 雇頁客 gCike customer

71

pictograph

瓜

family, which includes melon, squash, cucumber, and pumpkin. jU can also be used for gourd-shaped things, such as “月窗瓜(naogu 巨 ，skull; head; brain),” “ 瓜皮中冒

gua melon; gourd

金 i ®l

In the Bronze Inscriptions, the character

JTL depicts a gourd under vines, representing the gourd

篆 闪

(gua pi mao, skullcap resembling half a melon) .w

西瓜 xTguS watermelon 瓜果 guagu6 melons and fruits

huanggua cucumber nangua pumpkin

In Seal Script, the character 拐 is composed of the hand radical 才 and the pictophonetic character

phonetic element 另 （ f t

瓜 象 形 。金 文 像 籐 蔓 上 結 的 一 個 瓜 形 。本義 為 葫 蘆類植物果實的統稱。 種 類 很 多 ，譬 如 西 瓜 、 南 瓜 、冬 瓜 、黃 瓜 等 。 引申義有像瓜一樣的東 西 、分 割 等 。

g u a ). 拐 originally meant

“walking stick” and later came to mean “cripple,” “swindle,” “to abduct,” “to turn,” or “to change direction.” In the Oracle-Bone Inscriptions, f t looks like a piece of

拐 形 聲 。從 夺 ，另 ( f t / 另 g u 5 ) 聲 。本 義 為 拐 棍 ， 引 申 義 有 瘸 、跛 行 ，騙 走 人 或 財 物 ，轉 變方向等。

bone without meat on it. It is used to mean uto cut off flesh from the bones•”另 was an alternative form of f t in ancient times.

拐角 guaijiio corner; turning

guaigun walking stick

拐彎 guiiwan to go round a curve; to turn

associative compound

guaimai to abduct and sell

In the Bronze Inscriptions,

the character H looks like a door with a bolt. In Seal Script, the component inside ifl resembles two strands of rope with which to tie the doors. The original

guan to involve; to close

meaning of

was wdoor bar^ from which derived the

meanings: “to close,” “to shut,” “frontier pass，” “key point,” “to concern,” “to involve，” “to be related,” etc.関 is a variant form of 關， and the simplified character 关 adopts only the part inside 関.

金 問 篆 閲 72

M'M. guandeng to turn off the light 關係 guanxi relation

關 會 意 。 金文從門， 中 間 像 門 閂 之 形 。篆文 門内改為像以繩索把門 繋 住 。本 義 為 門 閂 ，引 申義有關閉、關卡 、關 鍵 、 關 聯 等 。 関是關的 俗 體 字 ，簡 化 字 关 進 一 步去掉了門。

haiguan customs

關ri last day; final days; doomsday The W ay o f C hinese Character

pictograph

the same as

In its ancient forms, the character ^ is (nu, female； woman) except for the two

dots added to her bosom to indicate her breasts and to imply that she is nursing a baby. TKe original meaning of

母 is mother, and its extended meanings include “one’s elderly female relatives，” “female (animal),” “origin,” or

fCi, father), when Chinese “source.” As in the case of 父 （ people address or refer to their mothers, they usually

物 （母 雞 、母 牛 ）、最初 的、能滋生其他事物的本 體 （母 語 、酵 母 ）。

use 媽 媽 (m 巨 ma, mom; mother) instead of 母親.

金 中

母親 mOqTn mother 母校 mOxiiio alma mater

母馬 mOma mare 母語 mdyCi mother tongue; native language

ASSOCIATIVE AND PICTOPHONETIC COMPOUND The character 姆 is made up of the female radical 女 and the semantic and phonetic element ^

(mu, mother;

female), referring to athe governess of girls in a noble family,” “wet nurse,” or “housemaid.” In its ancient

mu housemaid

母 象 形 。古文字從女， 胸 fill加兩點表不乳房， 以示母親要給孩子餵奶。 本義為母親，引申義有女 性長輩(尤指豕族、親戚 中的女性长辈，如 祖 母 、 伯 母 、姨 母 等 ）、雌性動

forms, the character ^ looks like a woman on her knees, and two dots are added to the her chest to represent her

姆 會 意 兼 形 聲 。從 女 , 從 母 ，母 亦 聲 。本義為

中國古代教未出嫁女子 婦道的女教師，後又指 乳 母 ，保 姆 。姆也用於 一些英文詞彙的音譯。

breasts, signifying that she has her baby and is feeding it. Today $5 is also used to transliterate many foreign words and names.

保姆 baomd nanny; housekeeper 湯姆 tangmCi Tom

母 甲 ， 金 中 篆 究

associative

拿 na to take; to get

^

朗姆 langmD rum 山姆大叔 shAnmCid&shQ UncleSam

COMPOUND The character ^ combines

(shou, hand) with ^

(he, to close; to unite; to

collect), suggesting the action of taking or holding something with ones hands. Its meanings include uto take，” “to hold,” “to grasp,” “to bring,” “to use,” or “to capture.w In its ancient forms, the character ^ has a lid A (jf) on top and 口 （which suggests a box) in the lower part, meaning “to close” or “to shut.” Its extended

拿 會 意 。楷 書 從 合 ，從 手 ，表示合手 相 持 。本義 為用手取或握住，引申 義 有捉拿、掌 握 、用 、 把 等 。合，會 意 。下像 盒 子 ，上 像 盒 蓋 ，合在 一起表 不 合 攏 。

meanings include “to combine,” “to join，” “to gather， ’ ， “to suit,” “to agree,” etc.

拿筆 nibT toholdab ru sh /p en nazou to take away The Way o f Chinese Characters

拿住 ndzhCi to hold firmly nashou expert in ； to be good at

125

p ic t o p h o n e t ic c h a r a c t e r

IJ|5 is made up of the

radical 口 and the phonetic 那 (na), and means “which” or “where.” Interrogatives often include the

哪 形 聲 。從 口 ，那 聲 ， 用作疑問代詞。

mouth radical 口， as in 嗎 and 呢.

明P裏 nali where; humble expression for denying compliments 哪些 n5xi§ which ones?

ASSOCIATIVE AND PICTOPHONETIC COMPOUND

那

In

Seal Script， 那 is the combination of 吞 （ ran， whiskers) and S (yl, town; city), referring to foreigners with long beards and hair who lived west of ancient China. Later 吞邑 came to mean “that，” and was simplified to IP. P

明兒 nar where 哪位 which person?

那 會 意 兼 形 聲 。篆文從 邑 （城 邑 ），持 咖 聲 ， 本義指留有長髪長鬚的西 夷 國 人 。措 書 寫 作 那 。

is a common radical. W hen P appears on the right, it means “town” or “city,” derived from the character B . When P appears on the left, it signifies or “plenty,” derived from the character 阜 (fCl， mound; plenty), such as in 郊 （ ji§o, suburbs)， or P走（ d6u ， steep).

那裏 n&li there naxie those

那兒 r^r there 那麽 name like that; in that way; in that case

ASSOCIATIVE AND PICTOPHONETIC COMPOUND The

奶 nai milk; (paternal) grandm other

character 奶 is composed of the female radical 女 and the semantic and phonetic component 75 (nai). In its ancient forms， 乃 looks like the breasts of a woman .乃 originally meant “breast，” and was borrowed to mean “to be,” “your，” “so,” and “then” in classical Chinese.奶 is a character that was invented later. Its original meaning is “breast，” and extended meanings include “milk,” “to breast-feed,” and “grandmother,” etc.

^ 9 ) niunai milk (cow) 奶油 niiy6u cream

126

奶 會 意 兼 形 聲 。奶 ，從 女 ，從 乃 ，乃 亦 聲 。本 義 指 乳 房 ，引申義為乳 汁 、餵 奶 、祖 母 等 。乃 ， 象 形 。古文字像女性的 乳 房 。是 奶 的 本 字 ，後 借 用 為 代 詞 “你 ”， “你 的 ”；係 詞 “是 ”， 副 詞 “於 是 ”等 。

奶酪 n5il&o cheese 奶奶 nSinai grandma The W ay o f C hinese Characters

associative compound

of B3 (tian, field) and

男

The character % consists

(N, plow; physical strength or

power). In ancient agricultural societies, men provided most of the manpower in the fields, and it was the mens duty to plow the fields.

nan male

nanren man

甲田> 1 金

^

篆 !

nanhai(zi) boy

男生 nansheng male student; young male

pictograph

男 會 意 。從 田 ，從力 (甲骨文像犁形) ，借用 犁耕田來代表男子。 “男耕女織”在田裏耕 種主要是男人的事。

In the Oracle-Bone Inscriptions, S is

the pictograph o f a musical bell, referring to an ancient percussion instrument. Later ® was borrowed to mean “south，” “southern part,” or “southward，” probably because 南 was an instrument played in Southern China

男朋友 n纟 npengyou boyfriend

南 象 形 。 甲骨文像懸挂 著縛钟一類的敲撃樂器， 本義為敲撃樂器，後借 用為南北的南。

in ancient times. In Regular Script,南 still somewhat resembles a large bell that can be hanged from a high place by the noose on its top.

nanfang south, the South (of a state) nanjlng Nanjing

pictophonetic character

難/难

南極 nanjf the South Pole

In its ancient form,

the character i t consists of the phonetic component 堇 （ jTn) and the radical 隹 （ zhuT，short-tailed bird), originally meaning a particular species of bird. In the Oracle-Bone Inscriptions, 堇 looks like a shackled

nan

person in flames. Since 堇 contains the meanings of “suffering” and “disaster,” later the character 難 came to mean “difficult,” “hard,” or “troublesome.” Note the difference between M and the left part o f i t . In the simplified form

金 ■ 篆

'l l 堇

The Way o f Chinese Characters

甲

I

, X replaces

nanshou difficult to bear; to feel unwell

難過 n in ’gud) tofeelsad

nangua pumpkin

難 形 聲 。金 文從隹，堇 (jTn) 聲 ，本義指一種鳥， 因 從 “堇 ” （焚燒人牲 祭 天 求 雨 ）而借用來表 示艱難困苦。堇 ， 甲骨 文像用火焚燒捆綁的人 牲 ，意指以人牲祭祀求 雨 ，引申為乾旱、災難 等 。簡體字难左邊用又 替 代 ，屬符號替代字。 明清已見此字。 nankan ugly H J I kunnan difficulty; difficult

127

pictograph

腦/脑

The right part of the character 月 甾is the

pictograph of a baby s head with a few hairs on the scalp. The left part contains the flesh radical ^ , which also serves to indicate the meaning of the character. Current meanings of 月 窗include “brain,” “mind ， ’，“head,” and wessence.)， In the simplified character JSj, the right part is simplified, but the flesh radical

腦 象 形 。左 為 肉 月 旁 ， 右部像 囱 門 與 頭 髪 。簡體 字 脑 的 右 邊 簡 化 ，但保 留了繁體字腦的輪廓。 舊時已有此字。

of the traditional

character is still retained.

腦ngI了to give a present 雪中送炭 xuezhongsdngtan provide help when most needed (literally: send coal during snow)

159

associative compound

In the Bronze Inscriptions,

the character M looks like two hands holding a silk string. In Seal Script, the top part of M is S (chui, droop) and the bottom part

(mi, silk), indicating

soft silk sagging down. The original meaning of M was

su

vegetarian;made from vegetables

uraw silk,wfrom which derived the meanings of ^plain^ “white,” “nature,” “essence,” “elements,” and “vegetarian (food).” Do you think vegetarian food is the purest food for mankind?

M

金 洛

M

吃素 chTsCi to be a vegetarian 素淨 sCjjing plain and neat

sucai vegetarian dish; vegetables

因素 yTnsC« factor; element

pictophonetic character

素 會 意 。金文像兩手持 一 束 絲 。篆 文 上 從 垂 ， 下 從 糸 。表示柔軟自然 下 垂 的 絲 綢 。本義為沒 有 染 色 的 生 絹 ，引申義 w 本 色 、 白色、顔 色 i 純 淡 雅 、樸 素 、本 質 、 構成事物的 基 本 成 分 、 素菜等。

The character 速 is

comprised of the walk radical i_ and the phonetic element 束 （ shCi)， meaning “swift,” “rapid,” “speedy,” “speed,” or ^Velocity.” In the Oracle-Bone Inscriptions， the character 束 looks like a sack tied on both ends with cord, meaning: tie, bind, control, restrain, “bundle,” “bunch，” etc. Some scholars think 束 looks

速 形 聲 。從 i _ ，束 聲 ， 本 義 指 迅 速 。束 ，會 意 。 金 文 從 口 從 木 ，像袋子 的兩端被捆扎起來。本 義為束縛。

like a bunch o f bamboo pieces or firewood.

加速 jiasO accelerate 高速公路 gaosO g 6 nglCj highway; freeway

速度 sCidO speed 高速 gaosCi highspeed

associative

宿 SU

to stay;to lodge

compound

In

the

Oracle-Bone

Inscriptions, the character 宿 consists of a person lying on a mat beneath the roof r a d ic a lm e a n in g Mto stay overnight.” In Regular Script, the character 百 (bai,

宿 會 意 。 甲骨文從 a ， 從 人 ，從 闪 （ tdn 席），像 人在屋裏的席 子 上 休 息 。

hundred) replaces the mat part of 宿 ， which could suggest a lot of people lodging in a guesthouse.

宿舍 sCjsh6 dormitory 宿舍樓 sDsh色I6u dormitory building 住宿 zhCisCj to stay at; lodging; accommodation 歸宿 guTsCi place to return to; final destination

160

The W ay o f C hinese Characters

pictophonetic character

訴 /诉

The character 訴 consists

of the word radical 言 and the phonetic component 斥 (chl)， meaning “tell，” “relate，” wcom pkin，’’ Uaccuse，’， and “appeal to.” In the Oracle-Bone Inscriptions，斤 looks like an ax with a crooked handle. W hen you add a short

SU

to tell;to relate

stroke to the middle of 斤 ， it becomes the character 斥

訴 形 聲 。從 言 ，斥 聲 ， 告 訴 、控 訴 之 意 。斥 ，斤 字加一■點，意為指責、 責 備 。簡體字诉的部首 簡化。

(chi, oust; reprimand). The speech radical is simplified to form the character 诉 .

告訴 ga osu to tell; to inform 訴言公 sCisdng lawsuit

pictophonetic

character

起訴 qTsCi to sue; to bring a lawsuit against 訴苦 sCikCi vent one’s grievance; to complain

The

character

酸

combines the wine jar radical M (you) with the phonetic 矣 （ qQn). Its original meaning was “vinegar”,

酸

and came to mean

sour,

acid,

tingle,

sad,

“pedantic,” etc. In its ancient forms,酉 outlines a wine

suan sour

jar. Though later M was borrowed to mean athe tenth of the twelve earthly branches” （see page 20 )， characters with 酉 as the radical still often have something to do with wine or fermentation. M originally meant to walk slowly and solemnly. Today M usually serves as the phonetic indicator in a character.

suancai pickled vegetable

篆 ■ 赛 酉 甲 0 金 ® 篆 ®

心、 酸 xTnsuan to feel sad

associative compound

suannai yogurt

寒酸 hansuan miserable and shabby; stinginess

In Seal Script, % combines

the bamboo radical ^ and the character

酸 形 聲 。從 酉 (y6u) ，矣 ( q Q n ) 聲 。本 義 為 醋 ，弓I 申為酸味。另外還有微 痛 、無力、傷 心 、迂腐 等 意 。酉 ，象 形 ，像酒罎 子 形 。與釀酒發酵有關的 字 ，常用酉字做部首，因 為都要用罎子，如 酥 、 酪 、酶 、釀 。矣 ，形 聲 。 意指行走遲緩而莊重，現 主要用作字的聲旁。

〇u, tool),

算

signifying the use of a bamboo tool, such as an abacus,

suan to calculate

branches with leaves (note the difference between the

used to make calculations. In its ancient form, the character Y ] (zhu) is a pictograph of two bamboo bamboo character 竹 and the radical 从)•具 resembles

算 會 意 。從 竹 ，從 具 ， 表示計算時使用的竹制 器 具 ，即算盤。具 ，會 意 。 甲骨文從雙手，從 鼎 （食 具 ），指雙手舉 鼎以 供 酒 食 。

two hands holding a three-legged vessel. In Regular Script, the upper part of 算 is and the bottom part ^ 獻从J

f r A JL "Jl.

im

m

is 升 （ g 6 ng, two hands holding something), but the middle changes to 目.

算盤 suanpan abacus i t ® jisuan to count; to calculate

The Way o f C hinese Characters

算術 suanshCj arithmetic; sums fT ® dasuan to plan ； plan

161

pictophonetic character

The character 雖 consists

of 虫 （ ch6 ng ， worm; insect), and phoneic element 唯

雖/虽

(wei), originally referring to a particular kind o f reptile, similar to a lizard. Today SS is used as conjunction, meaning “although,” and “even i£” In its ancient form,

suT

the character ^ looks like a kind of snake, meaning “venomous snake.” Its extended meanings are “insect,”

although

“worm,” and “reptile.” The simplified character 虽 retains only the left part of the traditional character SS.

雖然 suTr垚n although; even though

associative compound

In the Oracle-Bone and

with a long shaft and two footprints, meaning M step forward to harvest.” Since crops are harvested once a year,歲 extended to mean “year” and “age.” In Regular

^7;

W

^

篆 阶

sud

歲 會 意 。 甲 骨 文 、金文 從 戊 （ 細 斧 形 ）， 從 步 ， 指 在 田 裏 邁 步 向 前 ，用斧 形鐮刀之類農具收割莊 為 收 割 ，引申為一年的收

The two footprints together become the character

成 、年 龄 等 。篆 文 改 成 為 戌 (XQ 斧 形 兵 器 ）。 歲 有

歲數 siHshu age

歲月 su]yu^ years; time

異體字嵗，簡體岁字保留 了 嵗 字 上 部 的 山 ，而下部 改為夕字。

十歲 shfsui ten years old 萬歲 w奂 nsu'i Longlive (someone)!

In the Bronze Inscriptions

and Seal Script,所 consists of the radical 斤 （ jTn，ax; unit of weight) and the phonetic component P (hu, door; household). The original meaning of was the sound of wood being cut. Later it came to mean “place” or uso.n In the Oracle-Bone Inscriptions, I t looks like

so; place

僅取繁體字雖的右部， 舊時已有此字。

footprint 止 （ zhT) on the top and another under 戌 .

pictophonetic character

所

恭 敬 的 應 答 。簡體字虽

稼 。 成 兼 表 聲 。嵗本義

(bO, step). A variant form of 歲 is 歲. The simplified

金

從 隹 （短 尾 鳥 ） ， 意 指

Script,歲 consists of an ax-type tool 戌 （ xQ)， with a

character 岁 replaces the bottom part of 歲 with 夕.

itij

本義指一種似蜥蜴的爬 蟲 ，今 用 作 連 詞 ，表 示 轉 折 。唯 ， 甲 骨 文 從 口 ，

雖言兑 suTshud though; although

Bronze Inscriptions， the character 歲 contains a tool

甲

雖 形 聲 。從 虫 ，唯 聲 。

an ax with a crooked handle, and P looks like a door with one panel (as opposed to a door with two panels,

所 形 聲 。從 斤 ，戶 聲 ， 本義為伐木的聲音。引 申義為處所、助 詞 等 。 斤 ， 象 形 。上 像 斧 頭 ， 下 像 斧 柄 。戶 ，指 單 扇 的 門 。 一 扇 為 戶 ， 兩扇 為門。

represented by P l/f l) .

金戶i 162

篆欣

所以 suoyT therefore; so 廁所 cesu 6 toilet; lavatory

住所 zhusuo dwelling place； residence 研究所 yanjiQsud research institute; graduate school The W ay o f Chinese Characters

pictograph In its ancient form, the character 它 looks like a snake moving in a zigzag way, and its original

meaning was “snake.” Later 它 was borrowed to mean “other,” or “it,” and a worm radical 虫 was added the left of 它 to make a new character 蛇 （ snake).

它 象 形 。古字像一頭部 突 出 、身 體 彎 曲 的 蛇 形 。 本 義 為 蛇 ，後 借 為 別 的 、 另 外 等 意 。近 代 用 它 來 指 代 事 物 、動 物 。而蛇 的意思則由它字左邊加 部首虫來表示。

tamen they (for animals or inanimate objects)

甲 兮 金 企 篆 夺

其它 qft巨other (something); the others; else

PICTOPHONETIC CHARACTER

他 is built with the

person radical 彳 and the phonetic component 也 （ y爸 ， also).他 is a variant form o f 佗 . It originally meant M 〇therwand is used today as the third person pronoun for males. In the Bronze Inscriptions and Seal Script,

也 looks like a snake with a large head, and its original meaning was “snake.” Later 也 was borrowed to mean

他 形 聲 。第 三 人 稱 代 詞 。是 佗 的 異 體 字 。在 金 文 中 “也 ” 是 一 條 拖 著 尾 巴 、頭 部 突 出 的 蛇 形 。本 義 為 蛇 ，后 被 借 為 語 氣 詞 、助 詞 与 副 詞 。

“also” or “too”.

他們 t^men they

篆 政

taren somebody else; other people

pictophonetic character

她 ta she

她 consists of the female

radical 女 and the phonetic component tfe (ye, also). It is used as the third person pronoun for females. Both (ta, he) and V& (ta, she) have the component ^ in the

她 形 聲 。從 女 ，從 也 。 女性第三人稱代詞。

right part, but the character 他 has the person radical \ while 她 has the female radical 女.

她們 tSmen they; them (for females)

The Way o f Chinese Characters

其他 qft巨other; (something or somebody) else 吉他 jft5 guitar

她自己

z】jT herself

163

associative compound

臺/台

In Seal Script, B looks like

a high platform. Its original meanings are “platform” and “stage,” and it has been extended to mean “things shaped like a platform,Mwstand (for holding things),w wdeck,wK( broadcast) station,w etc. In its ancient forms,

意指人可到高臺上眺望四

and originally meant “pregnant.” Since being pregnant

方 。早在金元時期台已作

is a happy event,台 extended to mean “joyfiil.” Today

為 臺 字 的 簡 化 字 使 用 ，屬

n* is often used in both traditional and simplified

於 同 音 替 代 。現今民間多 用 “台 灣 ” ， 而 在 官 方 文

same. However, the traditional M is still used in formal written language.

)

6 金

^ 0

篆

台灣 tdiwSn Taiwan 新臺幣 xTntdi b〗 Taiwan dollar

explicit character

太

建 築 ，中間是高字的省 略 ， 下 部 為 至 （到 達 ） ，

o' looks like a fetus upside down in its mothers womb,

characters instead of S , as they are pronounced the

告 篆 函 台 甲

臺 /台 會 意 。篆 字 整體像 是 尚 臺 ：上部像局臺上的

件中則使用正式的 “臺 灣 '

陽台 yingtAi balcony 電視台 diAnshMi T V station

The character 大 means “big.”

A dot is added under 大 to emphasize the large size or scale. Consequently, 太 means “too,” “excessively,” or

太 指 事 。為 強 調 事 物 過 大 ，在 大 字 下 再 加 一 點 。

“extremely.”

tai

pictophonetic character

湯/汤 tang soup

formed with the water radical

The character 湯 is and the phonetic 昜

(yang).Its original meaning was hot water and extended to mean “soup,” “decoction of medical ingredients,” and “hot spring.” In the Orade-Bone Inscriptions, the upper

湯 形 聲 。從 水 ，昜 (yiing) 聲 。 本 義 為 熱 水 ， 引申義有肉或菜做的湯、 湯 藥 、溫 泉 等 。昜 ，會

“sunshine.” The simplified character 汤 derives from the

意 。昜 ，從 日 ，從 勿 （ 像 陽 光 穿 過 雲 層 射 出 狀 ）， 意 指 日 出 、太 陽 、 明亮

cursive style of the traditional character 'M-

等 。簡 化 字 汤 是 由 繁 體

part of 暴 is 日 (ri， sun), while the lower part resembles sunlight piercing through the clouds.易 means “sun” or

字湯的草書楷化而來。

金 增 篆 I毒 草 164

雞'湯 jTtang chicken soup 湯麵 tangmi^m noodles in soup

清湯 qTngtang broth tangshao soup spoon The W ay o f C hinese Charactej

The character 糖 consists

pictophonetic character

椐 tang sugar; candy

of the rice/grain radical 米 (ml) and the phonetic component iS (tang). It originally referred to malt sugar and later extended to mean “sugar，” “candy,” and Ksweets.MIn the Oracle-Bone and Bronze Inscriptions,

庚 looks like a bell, and extends 唐 contains 庚 (geng ， to mean “age”） on top and P (kou, mouth) at the bottom, suggesting a person talking with a voice like a bell and meaning “to boast” or “to exaggerate•”唐 is also the name of the Tang Dynasty (618-907), a golden age in Chinese history.

& W hongtang brown sugar 糖精 t 含 ngjTng sweetener

S ® baitang white sugar

糖果 t^nggu 6 candy

pictophonetic

躺 tang to lie (down)

character

糖 形 聲 。從 米 ，唐 聲 。 本義為米麥製成的飴糖， 引申為食糖、糖 果 。唐 ， 會 意 。 甲骨文、金文從 口，庚 （甲骨文像響鈴類 樂 器 ，引申為年龄、天 干的 第 七 位 ）聲 ，表不 説話如響鈴一般大聲。 本義為說 大 話 ，虛而不 實 。唐也是中國一个古 朝代 的 名 稱 。

The

character

躺

is comprised of the body radical 身 (shen) and the phonetic element 尚 （ sh 纟 ng)， meaning “to lie down” or “to recline.” In its ancient form s, 身 depicts a pregnant woman. Its original meaning was “pregnant” and came to mean “body•”尚 looks like a drinking vessel in ancient writing. Since people show respect to each other when they propose a to a st, 尚 means “to value,” “esteem,” etc.

身尚椅 tSngyT deckchair

躺 形 聲 。從 身 ，尚聲。 意為身體仰臥或側臥。 身 ，象 形 。本義指身孕， 引申泛指人與動物的軀 體 。尚，象 形 。像酒器 形 。本義當為酒器，因飲 酒相互舉杯敬酒，引申為 尊 敬 、崇 尚 。尚也用作 副 詞 ，表 示 還 、仍 然 。

tangxia to lie down

tang zai chuangshang to lie in bed

associative compound

The character S

is the

combination of 大 （ d螽 ， big) and 县 （ ch 含 ng ， long )•县 was an old variant form of 長•套 means “a cover” or “a sheath,” since a cover or a sheath is bigger and longer than the content under or inside it. The extended meanings of 套 include “to cover,” “to loop,” “snare，” “to imitate blindly,” “set,” and “a set 〇 £”

套 子 Aozi cover; cap 客套 k会 tao polite formulas; civilities The Way o f C hinese Characters

套 會 意 。從 大 ，從县 (县，古時同長），因又 大 又 長 ，本義為罩在物 體 外 的 東 西 。引申義有 套 住 、圈套、模 仿 、同 類 事 物 組 成 的 整 體 （套 房 、套 餐 ）。也可作為搭 配成組的事物的量詞， 如一套家具、一 套 書 。

夕卜^ waitao coat 套餐 taocan combo; set meal

165

pictophonetic

characters

The character 特

consists of the ox radical 4 1 and the phonetic element

寺 （ si，temple), and it originally meant “bull,” “ox,” “calf ” or “small livestock.” Since ox horns are striking,

te special

特 extended to mean “outstanding,” “special,” “unusual,” “exceptional，” etc. In its ancient form ,牛 is the front view of an ox head.

特別 tebie especially; special; particular 奇特 q 拍 peculiar; queer

篆

pictophonetic character

up of the sick radical

特黑占 tedi含 n characteristic; distinguishing feature 模特 m The extended meanings of 肩、 include “to cease,” “to rest,” “news,” “(financial) .

»， 《

1 •

I

»

j «

>

息 會 意 兼 形 聲 。從 心 ， 從 自 （鼻 子 ）， 自亦聲。 表 不 心 氣 從 鼻 出 。本義 為 氣 息 、呼 吸 ，引申為 停 止 、休 息 、消 息 、利 息 、繁 衍 、子 女 等 。 自， 象 形 。 甲骨文像鼻形。 本 義 為 鼻 子 ，後引申為 自己，而鼻子則寫作

I *1 j **

interest, multiply, and one s child.

qixl breath; flavor 安肩、 an xT to rest in peace

180

休肩v xiGxi to rest M xinxl information ； message The W ay o f Chinese Characters

associative compound

習/习

In its ancient form, the

character 習 combined 习习(yu, feather) and 日 （ r'l, sun) to symbolize birds practicing flying during the day. Meanings o f 習 include “to practice,” “to study,” Exerciser W review,,> Khabit,Metc. In Regular Script, the

XI

to practice

日 in the lower part of 習 is replaced with 白 （ bai， white), which also refers to daytime. In the OracleBone Inscriptions,

is a pictograph of the two wings

of a bird. The simplified character o f the traditional character ^ .

甲

U

篆響

uses only one part

學習 xuexf to learn; to study 復習 fCixf to review; revision

associative compound

練習 lianxf exercise; drill; practice 習f貫 xfguan habit; custom

The character 喜 is the

combination of 直 (zhu, drum) and P (kou, mouth),

e

習 會 意 。 甲骨文、金文 從 羽 ，從 日 ，表示小鳥在 陽光中展翅學習飛翔。 簡體字习僅保留了繁體 字習的一部分。

indicating laughing while beating a drum. In its ancient form ,直 looks like a drum with decorations on top and

喜 會 意 。從 直 (zhC■鼓) ， 從 口 ，意指張口笑着， 歡樂击鼓。

a stand underneath .喜 means “happy,” “happy event，”

xT

ASSOCIATIVE AND PICTOPHONETIC COMPOUND The

洗

character 洗 consists of the water radical signifying and phonetic element

and the

(xian, first; ahead

of). In its ancient form, the top part of foot and the lower part a person. Since

represents a includes foot,

洗 形 聲 兼 會 意 。從水， 從 先 （人 腳 向 前 伸 ） ， 本 義 為 洗 腳 。先也兼 表聲。

the character 洗 originally meant “to wash one’s feet” and later came to mean “to wash，” “bathe,” etc.

洗 澡 ）dzao to bathe; to take a shower 洗手間 xTsh6uji吾 n toilet; lavatory The Way o f C hinese Characters

洗衣機 xTyTjT washing machine 受洗 shduxT to receive baptism; baptized

181

associative

compound

Inscriptions, the character

係 /系

In

the

Oracle-Bone

looks like a kneeling

person (left part) tied by a rope (right part), referring to “to tie” or “to bind”. Its extended meanings include “to tie up,” “to connect,” “relationship，” or “(literary) to be.” In Regular Script,係 became the combination of the person radical 彳 and 系 Bone Inscriptions,

(xl). In the Oracle-

represents a hand holding two

strings of silk, meaning “link,” “system,” “lineage,” or adepartment.,>Today ^ is used as the simplified form of 係 and covers all the meanings of 係 .

關係 guanxi relationship; connection 公共關係 gOnggdng guSnxi public relations

explicit character

係 會 意 。係字在甲骨文 中的字形似用繩捆住一跪 著 的 人 。意 為 捆 綁 、關 聯 、關係 等 。楷書係字 從 < ，從 系 。系字在甲 骨文中為一隻手懸握兩 束 絲 。有 體 系 、世 系 、 派 系 、直 系 、系 統 、科 系 等 用 法 。簡化字用系 代 替 係 ，並囊括了係字 的全部用法。

國際關係 gu6j】guSnxi international relations 沒關係 m4igu芑 nxi it doesn’t matter

The character 下 is formed

following the same principle that governs the formation of J l . In the Oracle-Bone and Bronze Inscriptions, consists of two horizontal lines. The longer line

下 指 事 。古文為指不符 號 ，表示一物在另一物 之下。

on the top represents the horizon and the shorter one

xia below ;under

underneath refers to something below the horizon. In Regular Script, a vertical line is added beneath the longer horizontal line. The primary meaning of

is

“below,” “under,” or “lower.” Its extended meanings include “downward，” “fall,” “next，” and aa short while/’

,

7

下雨 xi垚 yd to rain; rainy xiake to finish class; to get out o f class

pictograph

• I S l o u x i a downstairs 下班 xi 含ban to finish work; to be off duty

In the Bronze Inscriptions, the character

X represents a robust man standing with strong arms akimbo. M is the name of the first dynasty in recorded Chinese history (ca. 2100-ca. 1600 B.c.) as well as an ancient name for China. Today, H. is used to mean “summer.” Some scholars believe the character refers to a man with limbs exposed because of the hot summer weather.

xiatian summer

夏曰 xi 垚ri summer day

182

夏 象 形 。金文中像人 形 ，有 頭 （頁 ）、身 、 手 、足 ，像個四 肢 發 達 、 高大強壯 的 人 。是古代中 原 漢 民 的 自 稱 ，也是中 國歷史上第一個朝代。 也 用 來 指 夏 季 。一説其 字 形 暗 示 夏 季 天 熱 ，人 的手足都露在外面。

初夏 chQxia early summer 夏 令 營 xid】ngyfng summer camp The W ay o f C hinese Characters

associative compound

upper part of

兀 xian first

In its ancient form, the

is a foot and the lower part is a person,

indicating one person walking ahead of another. In Regular Script, the upper part is ih (tu, soil; earth), with a stroke on the left, and the lower part still resembles a person.

先生 xiansheng Mister; sir; husband; teacher 祖先 zuxian ancestor； ancestry

xianjln advanced

事先 shixian in advance; beforehand

The character 險 consists

pictophonetic character

險/ 险

of the mound radical P and the phonetic element ^ (qiSn)， suggesting “difficult to access,” “a strategic pass,” or ''dangerously steep.** The extended meanings of •

xian risk ； danger

I

i

« 1

»

include dangerous,

u 1

»

danger,

a

•

»

i

cc t

»

sinister, and almost.

You can also see ^ in the characters M (lian, face) and

檢（ ji芑 n， to check; to examine) •僉 is simplified to 佥 in the character 险.

危險 w引xi含 n dangerous 風險 f€ngx话n risk

pictophonetic

現/现 xian now ;present

先 會 意 。甲骨文從之 (足 ），在 儿 （人 ） 前 ，本義為走在他人前 面。

character

險 形 聲 。篆 文 從 阜 （ is 在字左邊意為阜[土山]; P 在字右邊意為邑[城 市 ]) ， 食 ( q i a n ) 聲 。本 義為地勢險峻，引申為 危 險 、陰險等。作為副 詞 ，意思是幾乎、差一 點 ，如 險 勝 。簡化字险 中的僉簡化。

冒險 m纟 oxiIn to take a risk; adventure 保險 bSoxiin insurance

The

character

現

combines the radical I (wang, king) with the phonetic element 見 （ ji 螽 n， to see). As a radical, the meaning of

王 is “jade” rather than “king.” In Chinese there is also an independent character for “jade:” 玉 （ yCi). In the Oracle-Bone Inscriptions,玉 looks like a cluster of jade pieces. Since 現 consists of “jade” and “see，” it originally meant “the revealing of jade by its light.}， Extended meanings include “appear,” “existing,” “present,” and

現 形 聲 。從玉，見 聲 ， 本義指玉光外射，引申 為顯 露 、 出現、此刻之 意 。玉 ，象 形 。 甲骨文 像 一 串 玉 。金文和篆文 改為三片玉。玉作為偏 旁寫作王。簡體字现的 右部簡化。

“now.” In the simplified character 现， 见 is derived from the cursive form of 見 .

玉甲 The Way o f C hinese Characters

xianzai now; at present faxian to discover

出現 chGxian to appear; to emerge xianshf reality; realistic

183

The character 線 consists

pictophonetic character

of the silk radical ^

and the phonetic element 泉

(quanj, meaning thread,

string,

wire,

line, etc.

In the Oracle-Bone Inscriptions,泉 （ spring) looks like water gushing out of a mountain springhead. In Regular

xian

Script, 泉 combines 白 （ b焱 i, white) and 水 （ shuT,

line; route

water).錢 is a variant form of 線 • In the simplified character 线 ， both 糸 and 奏 are simplified. See also the

線 形 聲 。從 糸 ，泉 聲 。 泉 ，象 形 。 甲骨文像水從 泉 眼 流 出 。綫是線的異體 字 。簡體字线是将繁體 字綫左邊的部首簡化為 乡 ，右 邊 戔 簡 化 為 戋 。 參 見 錢字的簡化法。

character 钱 （ 錢）（ qi含 n).

泉 甲 ®

篆 朿

線路 xi^inlCi line; circuit; bus route 光線 gu an gxi 垚n light ray; light

associative compound

香 xiang

ti an xian antenna

電線 di&nxi^m electric wire

In its ancient forms, the

character § is the combination of ^ (shu, millet) and (gan, sweet; tasty). ^

is the pictograph of a millet plant and 甘 looks like something in the mouth. In Regular Script,泰 is replaced by 禾 （ h4, growing grain) and 甘 by 曰 to form the character 香 . The original meaning o f § is the fragrance of grain or cereal, from

香 會 意 。篆 文 從 黍 ，從 甘 ，本義為穀物的香味。 引申為氣味芬芳、香 甜 、 食 物 味 道 好 、吃得 好 、 睡 得 好 、受 歡 迎 、香料 等 。楷 書 簡 化 寫 作 香 。

which the meanings “fragrant,” “aromatic,” “sweetsmelling, delicious,

tasty, soundly,

popular, and

“incense5*have derived.

香味 xiangwei fragrance; scent 香草 xi豆ngelio vanilla

pictophonetic character

§ 7 X xiangshuT perfume ； cologne 香港 xian g g含ng HongKong

The character 箱 consists

of the bamboo radical 竹 and the phonetic element 相 (xiang), originally referring to boxes made of bamboo

or wood •箱 has been extended to mean “box,” “case,” or

xiang box;case

M trunkwof any material, and used as a measure word for boxes. It also refers to box-like things, for example 冰箱 (bTngxi§ng，refrigerator). 相 combines 木 （ mCj，wood;

tree) with 目 (mu, eye), indicating the act of looking closely at a tree. Hence the primary meaning of 相 is “to look at and appraised Extended meanings of “appearance,” “posture,” “photograph,” etc.

篆辋 184

箱子 xi芑 ngzi box; case; chest 信箱 xlnxiSng mailbox

include

箱 形 聲 。從 竹 ，相 聲 。 指用竹木製成收藏衣物 的器具，也泛指形狀象 箱 子 的 東 西 （冰 箱 、集 裝 箱 ）。另外箱也可作 為 量 詞 （一 箱 書 ，一箱 衣 服 ）。相 ，會 意 。從 目，從 木 。表示用眼觀 察 樹 木 。本 義 為 查 看 、 審視。

blngxiang fridge 烤箱 kAoxiSng oven The W ay o f C hinese Characters

pictophonetic character

The character 想 is

comprised of the radical 心 (xln, heart) and the phonetic element 相 (xiang, appearance), meaning “to think,” “to ponder,” “to recall,” or “to want to.” The character 木 @ combines 木 (mCi, wood; tree) with 目

想 形 聲 。從 心 ，相聲， 本義為思考。相 ，會 意 。 從 目 ，從 木 ，表示用眼 睛觀察樹木。

(mu, eye), indicating the act of looking closely at a tree. Hence the primary meaning of 相 is **to look at and appraise.” Extended meanings include “appearance,” “posture,” “photograph,” etc.

J B S xian gfa idea; opinion ； notion slxiang thought; thinking; ideology

pictograph

character

象

xiangnian to miss; to remember with longing S i® ITxiang a dream ； ideal

In the Oracle-Bone Inscriptions, the is the sketch of an elephant. In Regular

Script, the upper part of

delineates an elephant s head

and tusks, while the lower part its body, legs, and tail. The original and primary meaning of 象 is “elephant,” and its extended meanings include “image,” “shape,”

xiang elephant; appearance;shape

“appearance,” “form,” “to imitate,” and “phenomenon .’ ， In modern Chinese, nature, while

is used to refer to images out of

refers to those made to resemble the

appearance of a person or man-made objects.

大象 daxiAng elephant fM

M

像

%M~ qixiang meteorological phenomena

xiangxiang to imagine; imagination

pictophonetic character

象 象 形 。 甲骨文字形勾 畫出大象的輪廓。本義 為 大 象 ，引申為形狀、 樣 子 、模 擬 等 。一般用 來指自然界或人物的形 態 。而像字多指用比較、 模仿的方法製成的人或 物 的 樣 子 ，如畫 像 、雕 像 、圖像、音 像 等 。

xianxiang phenomenon; appearance (of things)

TKe character 像 is

composed of the person radical \ and the phonetic element 象 (xi^mg)， meaning “to resemble,” “to take arter, seem, to portray, picture, image, such as, etc. In the Oracle-Bone Inscriptions, the character ^ outlines an elephant. In Regular Script, the upper part

像 形 聲 。從 人 ，象 聲 ， 意指比照人物绘成的圖 形 、相 像 、好 像 、 比如 等 。象 ，象 形 。 甲骨文簡 要勾畫出大象的輪廓。

of ^ represents the elephant s head and trunk, while the lower part indicates the body, legs and tail. In modem Chinese, is used to refer to images made to resemble the appearance of a person or man-made objects, while

象 refers to images from nature.

畫像 huAxi^mg portrait 錄像 ICjxi含ng to record video; video recording

The Way o f Chinese Characters

偶像 6uxi&ng idol 好像 haoxi含 ng as if; to seem like

185

ASSOCIATIVE AND PICTOPHONETIC COMPOUND 校 contains the radical 木 （ mCi，wood) and 交 （ ji§o, cross) as both a phonetic and semantic component.校 originally referred to the crossbar that latched the neck and hands of a criminal together. Today,校 is used to mean “school.” In its ancient form ,交 is a pictograph of

校 會 意 兼 形 聲 。從 木 ， 從 交 ；交 亦 聲 。指用兩木 相 交 製 作 的 刑 具 。交 ， 象 形 。像兩腿相交的正 面人形。

a figure with crossed legs.

xuexiao school

xiaoyuan campus

校長 xi含 ozhang (school) president

associative compound

笑

校友 xi螽 oydu schoolmate; alumni

The character 笑 consists of

the bamboo radical ^ and the character

(yao). In

the Oracle-Bone and Bronze Inscriptions,

resembles

a person dancing with one arm up and one arm down, suggesting lithe and graceful movement.夭 is also used

xiao to laugh ;to smile

to describe luxuriant and gorgeous plants. A persons laughter may be compared to bamboo dancing in the wind, so the character 笑 means “laugh，” “smile,” or “to laugh at.” In Seal Script, the character 夭 resembles a

笑 會 意 。從 竹 ，從夭 (彎 曲 ）。李陽冰勘定 《說 文 》 中 解 釋 說 “竹 得 風 ，其 體 夭 曲 ，如人 之 笑 。 ”夭 ， 甲骨文、 金文像人兩手搖擺起舞 狀 。有 嬌 媚 、艷 麗 、茂 盛 、夭 折 等 意 。

person with his or her head tilted to one side, meaning Kto die young.”

篆劣夭甲太金t

篆太

可笑 kexi含 〇 funny; ridiculous xiaohua joke ； jest

笑容 xi垚 or6ng smile; smiling expression 開玩笑 k§i wdnxiSo to play a joke; to make fun of; to joke

ASSOCIATIVE compound 些 is built with 此 （ cT， this;

Xfc匕 xie (M W for indefinite amount); some

these) on top and

(er, two ； a couple of) underneath,

indicating that an amount is not much (though greater than one). Thus its meaning is “small amount or number,” “a little,” “a few,” “some,” and “measure word for an indefinite amount.” In the Oracle-Bone Inscriptions， 此 contains a foot止 （ zhT， foot; stop) and a person on the right, indicating the place one stops and meaning “here,” “this，” “in this case:’ etc. In Regular Script, the person in 此 is replaced by 匕 （ bT, ladle). Compare 此

些 會 意 。從 此 ，從 二 ， 意 指 少 許 、一 點 兒 、不 深 的 程 度 。 此 ，會 意 。 從 止 ，從 匕 （甲骨文像人 形 ，楷書寫作 匕 ； 匕現今 意指匕首），表示人止步 之 處 。意 為 這 、這 個 、 這 兒 等 。請把此字與比 字加以比較。

with 比 (bT， compare).

naxie those

篆 默 此 甲 吟 金 4 186

篆 鸣

~ ■些ylxie some; a few; a little

The W ay o f Chinese Charactt

associative compound

鞋

shoes (being leather products which touch the ground). In the Bronze Inscriptions, the character $ looks like

鞋 會 意 。從 革 ，從雙 土 。革 ，本義為剝去動物 的皮毛，引申為皮革。

an animal skin, meaning “leather,” “hide,” “remove,” etc.

xie shoes

革 甲 芗 金

The character 鞋 consists of

(ge, leather) and two ih (tu, earth; soil), referring to

I

球鞋 qiOxi谷sneakers; athletic shoes 拖鞋 tu6xi会slippers; sandals

篆革

pictophonetic

character

The

character

pixie leather shoes

高S艮鞋 g 芑 ogenxie high-heeled shoes

寫

contains the roof radical ^ and the phonetic element 馬（ xi). The original meaning of 寫 was “to move things into a room,” with the extended meaning “to write.” In its ancient form ,舄 is a pictograph of a chattering bird (symbolized by an open beak in the upper part, and wings and claws in the lower part). M originally meant “magpie.” The simplified character 写 developed from the cursive form o f 寫.

篆 嚴 草 言 舄 金 羚 篆

I

謝/谏‘ xie to thank

寫 信 xi§ x ln to w rite a le tte r 聽 寫 tTngxi爸 to d ic ta te ; d ic ta tio n

xiezi to write a letter 寫作 xiizud to compose; writing

pictophonetic character

The character 謝 consists

of the word radical H and the phonetic symbol I t (she). The original meaning of 謝 was “resign.” Its extended meanings are “decline,” “apologize,” and “thank.” In the Bronze Inscriptions, the character 射 depicts a hand drawing a bow, meaning “to shoot.” In Seal Script, the bow is replaced by a human body

身 (shen). In its ancient form % was a pictograph of a pregnant woman. In Regular Script, 謝 is the combination of three characters: 目 (ydn，w o rd ), 身 (shen, body), and ^

寫 形 聲 。從+ ，舄 (xi) 聲 。本義為移置，引申 為 傾 吐 、摹畫、書寫等。 舄 ，象 形 。金文像一隻張 開大嘴喳喳叫的喜鵲， 本義為喜鵲。 簡體字写 是繁體字寫的草書楷化 字 ，但草書写字上面多 帶一點。

謝 形 聲 。從 言 ，射 聲 。 射 ，會 意 。 甲骨文像張弓 射 箭 形 。金 文 加 手 。篆 文將弓改為身，從 寸 。 寸有手意，指用手張弓 射箭始于身而及于遠。 身 ，像人腹有身孕形。 簡 體字中，作為字左邊 部首的 I 一律簡化為 i 。

(cun, inch). As a radical, g is

always simplified as \ .

射 甲 夺 金 斗 篆 鼐 The Way o f C hinese Characters

謝謝 xi色 xie thanks; thank you 多謝 du5xie many thanks; thanks a lot

不謝 bOxie don’t mention it; not at all 感謝 ganxi会gratitude; be grateful

187

ASSOCIATIVE AND PICTOPHONETIC COMPOUND

新

新

consists of the signifying parts Tfc (mu, wood) and

斤 （ jTn, axe), and the phonetic component 辛 （ xTn), originally meaning “cut firewood” or “firewood.” Since people in primitive societies made fire by creating friction on wood ,新 extended to mean “new,” “fresh,” “newly,” “recently,” “unused,” etc. In the Oracle-Bone Inscriptions, Jt looks like an ax with a crooked handle, meaning “ax,” and later a traditional unit of weight.

新 會 意 兼 形 聲 。從 木 ， 從斤(斧) ，辛 聲 。本義為 用 斧 頭 砍 柴 ，是薪的本 字 ，後 用 作 新 舊 的 新 。 辛 ，象 形 。 甲骨文、金文 中像鑿子一類的刑具， 用來在犯人臉上刺字。

In the Oracle-Bone and Bronze Inscriptions,辛 is the pictograph of a chisel-like instrument used to tattoo prisoners. Extended meanings of 辛 are “pungent,” laborious, and surtenng.

新式 新聞

associative compound

信 xin letter;to believe

金 Y

篆 膪

xlng s ta r 、

word; speak), implying that a persons words should be trustworthy. Therefore, the meanings of 信 are “true,”

信 會 意 。從 人 ，從 言 ， 本義指人 要 言 而 有 信 ， 引申為書彳言。

“trust,” “faith,” and “believe.” 信 is also used to mean “message” or “letter,” which also might connote that ones written word should be true.

信封 信心

x ln f€ n g en v elo p e

f s l f x in x ia n g m a ilb o x

xlnxTn c o n fid e n c e ; fa ith

才目信 x iS n g x ln to believ e; t o tr u s t

character

In

the

Oracle-Bone

Inscriptions, the character 星 looks like a pictograph of light shining out from a cluster of stars. In the Bronze Inscriptions, it consists of three El shaped stars in the upper part and the phonetic indicator 4 (sheng, born) in the lower part. In Regular Script, S has only one star

星 形 聲 。從 日 ，生 聲 。 甲骨文像光芒閃耀的群 星 ，金 文 改 成 三 顆 星 ， 下 加 聲 旁 ，揩書減為一 顆星。

on top of 生.

行星 明星

188

The character 信 consists of

the vertical person radical \ and the character 言 (yan，

pictophonetic

星

新年 xTnnidn NewYear 新鮮 xTnxi§n fresh; novel; uncommon

xTnsh'丨n e w -sty le xTnwen n ew s

xfngxTng p la n e t m m gxTng sta r; c e le b rity

星期 歌星

xTngqT w e ek ; d a y o f th e w e ek g e x ln g s in g in g s ta r; fa m o u s sin g er

The W ay o f C hinese Characters

p ic t o g r a p h In the Oracle-Bone and Bronze Inscriptions, the character delineates two streets

行

intersecting.

original meaning o f 行 was

The

“intersection,” and extended meanings include “road,” “go,” “walk,” “carry out,” “all right,” and “will do.” In

xing to walk ;okay

Regular Script,

行 象 形 。甲骨文、金文 像四通八達的道路。本 義指十字路，引申為行 走 、走 得 通 、可 以 等 。

is comprised of ^ (walk slowly; left

step) and 丁 (chCj, small step). You can also see 彳in the characters 律 （ 丨 6, law; rule) and 後 （ hdu, after).行 is also pronounced as hang and means wbank,w wline of business,” “business firm, etc.

儿

J L

〇

甲 n r 金 丌 篆 竹

t j R j xingdong action; take action; mobile 自行車 zMngch€ bicycle; bike

ASSOCIATIVE

AND

PICTOPHONETIC

旅 行 l8xfng to travel； journey; trip 金艮行 yfnhdng bank

COMPOUND

The character 姓 consists of 女 (nu, female) and

生 (sheng, give birth), meaning “surname.” In the matrilineal society of ancient times, children adopted their mothers' surnames since women were considered

姓 會 意 兼 形 聲 。從 女 ， 從 生 ；生 亦聲。姓是母 系社會的反映。上古姓 是 族 號 ，隨母系。

superior to men. In the character 姓， 生 also functions as the phonetic element.

甲 弩 篆 般

姓名 x】ngmfng name and surname 百姓 b 各 ixing common people

a s s o c ia t iv e co m po u n d

貴姓 gulxing 'What is your name? 老百姓 I含 ob 含 ixing folk(s); ordinary people

In the Oracle-Bone and

Bronze Inscriptions, 興 depicts four hands lifting a mold, and meant “to lift” or “raise” （pronounced xTng). Extended meanings of 興 include “start,” “prosper” (xTng)， “mood,” and “interest” (xing). In Regular Script， the four hands are still visible in the character R ,

xing mood ; interest

興 會 意 。 甲骨文、金文 字形像四隻手同力共舉 一 幅 模 具 。簡體字兴是 由繁體字興的草書楷化 而來。

X

though the lower two have been simplified. The part

N

the four hands axe lifting is 同 (t6ng ， same).同 refers to castings made out of the same mold. The simplified

7s developed from the cursive style of the traditional Notice that the top parts o f the two characters are different.

^

甲

卜

ife

ft

The Way o f Chinese Characters

@ 1 ^ 高興 gaoxin g happy; glad 篆 鬥 旱 习 歹 興 起 xTngqT torise;tospringup

R ® xingqu interest; hobby 新興 xTnxTng newly developing; rising; burgeoning

189

a s s o c ia t iv e co m po u n d

The character 休 is the

combination of the person radical 彳 and 木 (mu,

休

wood; tree), indicating that a man is taking a rest under a tree. Its meanings include “to rest,” “to stop,” “to cease,” “to cast off one’s wife and send her to her parents,” and “don’t.”

to cease;to rest

休息 xiQxi torest 休學 xiQxue to suspend one’s schooling

a s s o c ia t iv e co m po u n d

學/学

休假 xiQj A to take a vacation 退休 tulxiQ to retire

In the Bronze Inscriptions,

the upper part of ^ represents two hands playing with four sticks, and the lower part shows a child under a roof, thereby representing a child learning math at home. You will find that only the tops are different if you compare the character ^ with ^ (zl, character). The simplified character 学 is derived from the cursive

xue to study

休 會 意 。從 彳 ，從 木 ， 像 人 在 樹 下 休 息 。本義是 休 息 ，引申義有停止、 不 要 、舊時丈夫將妻子 趕 回 娘 家 、斷絕夫妻關 係等。

學 會 意 。金文像屋裏一

個孩子雙手擺佈小木棍， 學 習 計 算 。簡體学字是繁 體學字的草書楷化字。

form of the traditional 學 .

料

甲

A

^

金 今 篆 宁 草

^3

>

學習 xu^x 丨to learn; to study 學 校 xu^xi备 o school

a s s o c ia t iv e co m po u n d

學生 xuesheng student 上學 shingxue to go to school; to attend school

In Seal Script, the upper part

of 雪 is 雨 (yd, rain), and the lower part 彗 （ hui， broom; comet). M looks like a hand (bottom part) holding a broom made of a couple of branches (top part).

xue

Therefore, ® literally means the rain that can be swept away. In Regular Script

loses the broom part, and

only the rain and hand remain. The extended meanings of 雪 include “snow-like,” “to wipe out (shame; insult; h u m iliatio n )a n d even Kto avenge (a wrong),w since snow can cover ail injustice, and unfairness and wrong­ doing can be wiped away.

甲 码 丨 篆 肇 習 甲 篆 齊 190

滑雪 huaxue to ski; skiing 雪人 xuer4n snowman

雪 會 意 。篆文上為

雨 ，下 為 彗 ，彗意指手 持 掃 把 。 中 國人也管彗 星 comet 叫 掃 把 星 ，因彗 星划過天空的形狀像掃 把 。楷書雪去掉彗字的 上 部 。雪字描摹人用掃 帚 掃 雪 ，本義為天上降 落 的 水 的 白 色 結 晶體； 引申義有像雪一般的、 洗刷掉等。

雪花 xuehua snowflake 雪白 xueb 含i snow-white The Way o f Chinese Characters

p ic t o p h o n e t ic c h a r a c t e r

押 ya to give as security

The character 押 is

comprised o f the hand radical ^ and the phonetic element 甲 （ jiS). Its original meaning is to “to sign” or 5 In its ancient forms,

zhu

不 / 氺 (shi, show) is a pictograph of a stone table

祝 會 意 。從示 A (用 石塊搭起的祭臺），從 人 ，從 口 。 甲骨文、金 文中像人跪在祭臺邊向 神靈或祖先祈禱。

upon which sacrificial offerings to gods or ancestors are placed. The radical ^ is often found in characters related to religious rituals.

甲 的 金 碼 篆 顾

祝好 zhCihao Wish you all the best! 祝福 zhCifd blessings; to wish happiness to

v iM zhuhe to congratulate; congratulations 慶祝 qingzhCj to celebrate

ASSOCIATIVE AND PICTOPHONETIC COMPOUND

In

the Oracle-Bone Inscriptions, M- consists of a hand (

專/专

Tf cun) and a spindle

zhuan), signifying the act

of winding thread on a spindle. Early meanings of ® were “spindle” and “revolve.” Later it came to mean

zhuan special

concentrate,

rocus,

or

special,

lhe simplihed

character ^ is derived from the cursive style of the

專 會 意 兼 形 聲 。從 寸 ， 亩 聲 ， 甲骨文像用一手 轉動紡錘形。本義為紡 錘 ，後為專一，專心等。 簡體字专是繁體字專的 草書楷化字。

traditional character # .

$

甲

專業 zhuanye major; specialized field of study 專家 zh u an jil expert; specialist

專門 zhuanm en specially; specialized 專 zhuanxTn to concentrate

ASSOCIATIVE AND PICTOPHONETIC COMPOUND The character

combines the signifying element $ (che,

vehicle) with the semantic and phonetic component M - (zhuan, revolve), implying that athe cart wheels are revolving.” The meanings of 轉 include “to turn,” “to

move,” Kto change,” “to transport,” and “indirect” when

to turn

pronounced as zhuan, and ato rotated wto revolve,and “to walk around” when pronounced as zhuan. In Seal Script, the chariot in 車 is simplified to one wheel on its axle. The simplified, character ^ developed from the cursive style o f 車 • In the character 转 ， both 車 and 專 are simplified.

金 轉 篆

I

專甲彳i

The Way o f Chinese Characters

草翥

轉學 zhuanxue to transfer to another school 轉目艮 zhuanyan in die twinkling of an eye

轉 會 意 兼 形 聲 。從 車 ， 從 專 （以手轉動紡 錘 ），專亦聲。表示車輪 轉 動 。本 義 為 運 轉 、轉 動 ，引申義有變換、間接 傳 送 、改變方向等。以 上意思自買作zhuSn。目買作 zhuin時意為旋轉。車的 簡化字是车，專 是专。 簡化字转將兩字的簡化 字合為一體。 轉機 zhuanjT transfer flight 轉椅 zhuanyT swivel chair

221

pictophonetic character

of the water radical

The character 準 consists

and the phonetic indicator 牵

(sOn), originally referring to “level surface of water.” Its extended meanings are “level,” “even，” “standard,” “criterion,” “accurate,” “definitely，” “target,” and “to

zhun

aim.w In the Bronze Inscriptions, ^

portrays a hand

holding a bird and means “falcon.” Although 准 is the variant form of 準， its usage is different: in Traditional Characters, only 准 can be used to mean “to allow,” “to permit,” or “to approve.” Nowadays 准 is also used as

準 形 聲 。從'?，隼 (sQn) 聲 。本 義 為 水 平 面 ，引申 為 水 準 、標 準 、準 確 、 目 標 、一 定 等 。准本是準 的俗 字 ，但在用法上有 所 區 別 。如果意思是同 意 、准 許 ，只 能 用 准 ， 而 不 能 用 準 。現在准用 作準的簡化字。

the simplified form of 準， and in this case it carries the meanings of both characters.

準時 zhdnshf on time; punctual

篆 鎔 準 甲 弋 金 事 篆 犀

桌 zhuo table; desk

對準 du】zhCin to aim at

zhunbei to prepare

zhunxu to approve; to allow

pictophonetic character The character 桌 is built with the wood radical 7^ and the phonetic component

卓 (zhu6)， signifying that a table is made from wood. 桌 can also be used as a measure word, as in ^ ‘ 桌菜 (a tableful of dishes). In the Oracle-Bone Inscriptions,

卓 portrays a bird caught in a long-handled net. Since one has to raise the net high enough to catch a bird, means “lofty” or “outstanding.”

桌子 zhu6zi table; desk 書桌 shuzhuo desk

飯桌 i^nzhu6 dining table 桌布 zhu6bD tablecloth

ASSOCIATIVE AND PICTOPHONETIC COMPOUND The character 字 has the roof radical … on the top and 子 (zT, child) underneath, indicating a child in a house. "Ihe original meaning of 字 was “give birth to” or “bring

zi character

桌 形 聲 。從 木 ，卓 聲 。 本 義 為 几 案 、桌 子 ，引 申作為量詞，如 ：一桌 酒 席 。卓 ，會 意 。 甲骨 文字形的下面是帶把的 網 ，上 面 是 鳥 ，指用網罩 鳥 。因人要尚舉網罩鳥， 引申為尚超、卓 越 。

up,” but later evolved to mean “characters.” Children were supposed to remain at home, practicing their

字 會 意 兼 形 聲 。從寳蓋 頭 ，從 子 ；子 亦 聲 。用 房屋中有子意指生養孩 子 。現可想象為孩子在 屋中寫字。

characters every day. You could probably memorize all the characters you have learned if you did the same!

金 阳 篆 尚 222

字 hanzi Chinese character 字典 zldi含 n character dictionary

shengzi new character

字母 zimCi letter (of the alphabet) The W ay o f C hinese Characters

pictograph

In the Oracle-Bone Inscriptions, 自

represents the shape of a nose. 自 originally meant nose, and came to mean seir, ones own, rrom, “since,” etc 自 no longer carries its original meaning, as the character

now indicates anose.w

自己 zijT oneself 自由 ziy6u freedom; free; liberty

甲 奐 金 含 篆 自

pictophonetic character

租

親自 qTnzl personally; in person 自然 zlrdn nature; natural; naturally

The character 租 consists

of the radical ^ (he, standing grain), and the phonetic element 且 （q i爸/jQ)， meaning “land tax,” “rent,” “hire,” “lease，” etc•禾 is also used in 和I (h& and) and 秋 (qiQ，

租 形 聲 。從 禾 ，且 (jQ ) 聲 。有田賦、 出租、租 用之意。

autumn )•且 also appears in 姐 （ ji爸 ， elder sister),助

ZU

(zhu, to assist), and 'M. (yf, suitable).

to rent

租金 出租

篆 祖

zQjTn r e n t chQzQ to r e n t o u t; to r e n t

房租 fdngzQ r e n t 出租車 chG zQ che

ASSOCIATIVE AND PICTOPHONETIC COMPOUND The character 嘴 consists of the mouth radical 口 and the semantic and phonetic component 紫 （ zuT; zT)， meaning mouth, beak, snout, sprout, or talk. 觜 combines 角 (jiSo, horn) with the phonetic 此 (cl, this), originally referring to the horn-like hair on an owl’s head and extended to mean “beak” or “moudi.” Later a new character, was created by adding a mouth radical 口 to the left of 紫• In the Oracle-Bone and Bronze Inscriptions, 角 is the pictograph of the horn of an animal. See the entry for ^ (xie) for more about the origins of 此 .

此 甲 ^

自 象 形 。 甲骨文像鼻 形 。本義為鼻子，後引 申為自己，而鼻子則寫 作 “鼻 ”。

A

角 甲 总 金

The Way o f Chinese Charactei

\ H

^

篆内

0 ^ duozui to talk too much

嘴甜zuTtiin

honey-tongued

(fo r a ro o m o r h o u se ) tax i

嘴 會 意 兼 形 聲 。楷書從 口，從 紫 (zuT; zT) ， 紫亦 聲 。本義為鳥嘴，引申 為人或動物的嘴、物體 形狀像嘴的部分、説話 等 。觜 ，形 聲 。從 角 ， 此 聲 。本義為貓頭鷹之 類頭上的毛角，引申為 鳥 嘴 、人或動物的進食 器官。

嘴,决 zuTkuai to have a loose tongue 回嘴 hui’zuT to retort; to talk back

223

In Seal Script, M is made up of 冃 (m 垚 〇, headgear) and 取 (qO, get; take). In

associative compound

the Oracle-Bone Inscriptions,取 depicts a right hand holding an ear. In ancient times, soldiers cut off the ears of enemies as proof of victory. therefore means to “capture,” “get,” “take,” or “fetch.” 最 consists of the headgear, ear, and hand parts. It originally meant “gather,” “total,” and “the highest military merit,”

最 會 意 。篆文從冃 (帽 子 、頭 盔 ），從取 ( 以手割下戰俘耳朵為 立 軍 功 的 證 據 ）。本義 指以士兵殲敵的數目來 判斷誰立 下 頭 等 戰 功 ， 引申為總計、極 度 等 。

from which is derived its usage as a superlative degree marker. In Regular Script,曰 replaces the 目I in 最 ， but the bottom still combines ear 耳 and right hand 又.

最好 zulh 含 〇best; had better 最後 zuHidu last; finally

篆 羯 网

最近 zu)j)n recently 最多 zu'iduo at most; maximum

pictophonetic character The character 昨 consists of the sun radical 日 and the phonetic component

昨

昨 形 聲 。從 日 , 乍 聲 。

乍 (zha/zuo). In the Oracle-Bone and Bronze Inscriptions,乍 indicates the stitching of a collar. The original meaning of 乍 was “to make” or “to do.” Later the character came to mean “for the first time，’’ “spread,” or “abruptly.” Please compare 昨 with 怎 (z 爸 n， how).

昨天 zu6ti§n yesterday 昨晚 zu6wan yesterday evening; last night

篆 賊

associative compound

左

In the Bronze Inscriptions,

the character £ depicts a hand stretching toward the left with X (gong, tool; work) underneath, suggesting that a tool is a great extension of ones hands. Its original meanings were “to assist” and “subordinate,” but now it is used to mean “the left side，” “the east side,” “left-wing,”

zuo

“the Left,” “unorthodox,” and “opposite.”

金 224

昨日 zu6ri yesterday 昨夜 zu6ye last night

屬

/f

篆 隹

左上 zudshang upper left 左派 zudpai the left wing

左 會 意 。從 左 手 ，從 工 。表示以左手助右手操 持 工 具 勞 作 。本義為輔 佐 ，此 意 後 被 佐 取 代 ， 左 則 指 左 邊 ，東 邊 ，也 指 左 翼 、政 治 上 激 進 、 非 正 統 、相 反 等 。

左腿 zudtuT the left leg 極左 jfzu6 the ultra-left The W ay o f C hinese Characters

associative compound

坐

The character 坐 consists of

two A (ren, person) on top and i

(tu, earth) at the

坐 會 意 。古文中像兩人 在土地上面對面 而 坐 。

bottom, representing two people sitting on the ground. In addition to “sit,” 坐 also means “to travel by” some kind of vehicle (which one sits in), such as a bus, train,

zuo to sit

or airplane.

坐下 zudxia sitdown 坐車 zudche to take a bus, a car, etc.

篆坐

坐位 zudwei seat 坐牢 zu6l垚 o to be imprisoned

ASSOCIATIVE AND PICTOPHONETIC COMPOUND In the

作 ZU O

to work ;to do

Oracle-Bone and Bronze Inscriptions, the character is written as which represents stitching a collar, therefore meaning “to do” or “to make” something. In Seal Script, the person radical \ was added to the left of 乍 to form 作•乍 also appears in the characters 怎 (zen, how) and

(zuo, yesterday). W hen

sometimes it can be replaced by

作 會 意 兼 形 聲 。從 人 ， 從 乍 ，乍 亦 聲 。 甲骨文、 金 文 寫 為 “乍 ”，意指 縫 製 衣 領 。篆文加人字 旁 為 “作 ”

is used as a verb, a character which

was developed later. However, in certain combinations, such as IE 作， 做 cannot be substituted for 作 .

甲

Ik

gongzuo job; work; to work

金 么 篆 取

作家 zud)ji§ writer

associative compound

做 ZUO

to do

作業 zudye school assignment; homework 合作 hezu6 cooperate; to work together; cooperation

In the Oracle-Bone and

Bronze Inscriptions, the character 作 is written as 乍 (zha ).乍 looks like the stitching of a collar, and its original meaning was therefore “to do” or “to make.” In Seal Script, the person radical^ is added to 乍 to form

作.做 developed later than 作 ， and is the combination of 彳 and 故 （ gCi， former). W hen 作 is used as a verb, sometimes it is interchangeable with 做 • However, if an action involves body movement, ® is preferable to 作 ， such as in 做 飯 （ zudfSn， to cook) and 做 衣 服 （ zud ylfu, to make clothes).

甲 沴 ‘ 金 备 篆 聘 The W ay o f C hinese Characters

做事 zudshi to work; to handle matters 做客 zudke tob eag u est

做 會 意 。 “做 ”是 “作 ”的後起字，在一 些意思上二字相通。但 在口語中具體東西的製 造 一 般 寫 為 “做 ”，如 做 飯 ，做衣 服 ；較為抽 象 、書面語色彩較重的 詞語及成語，一般寫為 “作 ”，如 寫 作 ，作 文 ， 自作自受。但區別的標 準不是絕對的。

做飯 zudf&n tocook 做法 zudf含way of handling something

225

C H A R A C TER IN D EX By In tegra ted C hinese Lesson Form

T h is index contains all the characters found in

Integrated Chinese Le ve l 1, Part 1 and Le ve l 1, Part 2

MW

=

Measure Word

arranged as they appear in each lesson.

P

=

Particle

QP

=

Question Particle

()

=

Variant/Radical Form

R A D IC A L S

示 (氺 ）

shi

to show

11

人 M )

ren

person; people

1

糸/ 乡

mi

silk

11

刀 （ij)

dao

knife

1

耳

er

ear

11

力

n

power; strength

2

衣 ⑴

yi

clothing

12

又

you

right hand; again

2

言 (i)

yan

word; speech

13

□

kou

mouth; entrance

2

貝/贝

bei

cowry shell

13

□

wei

enclose

3

走

zou

to walk

14

土

tu

earth

3

足

zu

foot; enough

14

夕

xT

sun set; evening

3

金

jTn

metal; gold; (surname)

14

大

da

big; great

4

門/门

men

door; gate

15

女

nu

fem ale; woman

4

隹

zhuT

short-tailed bird

15

子

zT

baby; child

4

雨

rain

15

寸

cun

inch

5

食

shi

to eat

16

小

xiao

little; small

5

馬 /马

ma

horse

16

工

gong

tool; work; labor

5

幺

yao

tiny; small

6

弓

gong

bow

6

心 (十 ）

xln

heart

6

戈

ge

d a g g e r-ax e

7

手 (乎 ）

shou

hand

7

ri

sun; day

8

月

yue

moon; month

8

木

mu

wood

8

水 ( '? )

shuT

water

9

火 C '、 、 ）

huo

fire

9

田

tian

field; (surname)

10

目

mu

eye

10

一

yi

one

17

二

er

two

17

:三

san

three

17

四

SI

four

17

五

wu

five

18

六.

liu

six

18

七

qT

seven

18

八

ba

eight

19

九

jiu

nine

19

+

shi

ten

19

227

IN DEXES

The Way o f Chinese Characters

N U M ERALS

LESSO N

1

你

nT

you

129

好

hao/hao

good; fine/ to like; to be fond

77

紐/纽

niu

knob; button

130

約/约

yue

agreem ent; appointm ent

208

of

LESSO N

請/请

qing

please; to invite

139

問/问

wen

to ask (a question)

177

貴/贵

gui

honorable; expensive

74

姓

xing

surname

189

我

wo

1; me

178

呢

ne

QP

128

姐

jie

elder sister

94

叫

jiao

to be called; to call

93

什(甚）

shen

*what

148

麽/么

me

QP

120

名

mfng

name

124

字

Zl

character

222

先

xian

first

183

生

sheng

to be born; to grow

148

李

IT

(surname); plum

110

友

you

friend

204

王

wang

king; (surname)

10

朋

peng

friend

133

是

shi

to be

152

老

lao

old

108

師/师 嗎/吗

shi

teacher

149

不

bu

not; no

33

學/学

xue

to study

190

也

ye

also; too

196

人

ren

people; person

1

中

zhong

center; middle

218

國/国

guo

country; nation

74

北

bei

north

28

京

jTng

capital city

96

美

mei

beautiful

121

228

ma

Q Pp >

118

2

那

na/nei

that

126

的

de

p o sse ssiv e P

49

照

zhao

photograph; to shine

213

片

pian

MW (for tablets, films); slice

134

這/这

zhe(i)

this

214

爸

ba

father; dad

23

媽/妈

ma

mother; mom

117

個/个

ge

MW (general)

68

孩

hai

child

75

誰/谁

shei

who

147

她

ta

she

163

男

nan

male

127

弟

di

younger brother

50

他

ta

he

163

哥

ge

elder brother

67

兒/儿

er

son; child

57

有

you

to have; to exist

204

没(沒）

m ei/ mo

(have) not/ to sink

121

局

gao

tall; high

66

文

wen

(written) language; script

177

家

jia

family; home

89

how many; a few

87

幾/几 兩/两

liang

two; a couple of

113

妹

mei

younger sister

122

和

h e/*h u o

and; harm onious/ *warm

78

做

zuo

to do

225

作

zuo

to work; to do

225

律

IQ

law; rule

116

都

dou /du

all; both/ capital

54

醫/医

Vi

doctor; medicine

197

The Way o f Chinese Characters

白

bai

white; (surname)

24

刻

ke

quarter (hour); to carve

103

英

ying

flower; hero; *England

201

事

sh'i

affair; m atter

151

愛/爱

ai

love; to love

22

很

hen

very

79

忙

mang

busy

119

明

mmg

bright

124

LESSO N

3

號/号

hao

number

77

為/为

wei/wei

for

176

星

xlng

star

188

园

yin

because

200

期

q«

period (of time)

136

同

tong

sam e

170

天

tian

sky; day

168

認/认

ren

to recognize; to know

142

今

jin

today; now

95

識/识

shi

to recognize

150

年

nian

year

129

多

duo

many; much

56

歲/岁

SUI

age

162

週/周

zhou

week; cycle

220

吃

chi

to eat

39

.瘦..

mo

end

124

飯/饭

fan

meal; (cooked) rice

59

da

to hit

45

怎

zen

how

211

打 球

qiu

ball

140

樣/样

yang

kind; appearance

194

看

kan

to watch; to read

101

太

tai

too; extremely

164

電/电

dian

electricity

52

了

le

P

108

視/视

sh'i

to view; to look at

152

謝/谢

xie

to thank

187

唱

chang

to sing

37

喜

xT

to like; happy

181

歌

g€

song

68

歡/欢

huan

happy; joyous

83

跳

tiao

to jum p

169

菜/菜

cai

dish; cuisine; vegetable

34

舞

wu

to dance; dance

179

還/还

hai/huan

still; yet/ to exchange; to

75

聽/听

ting

to listen

169

音

yin

sound; music

200

樂/乐

yue/ le

m usic/ happy

209

書/书

shu

book

155

對/对

dui

correct; toward

56

時/时

shf

time

149

候

hou

time; season ; await

80

影

ying

shadow

202

常

chang

often; ordinary

36

去

qu

to go

140

外

wai

outside; foreign

172

客

ke

g u est

103

return ke

but; to permit

102

們/们

men

★ (plural suffix)

122

黏/点

dian

dot; o ’clock

51

半

ban

half

25

晚

wan

evening; late

173

上

shang

above; top

145

見/见

jian

to see

13

再

zai

again

210

現/现

xian

now; present

183

在

zai

at; in; on

210

The W ay o f Chinese Characters

4

229

IN D E X E S

可

LESSO N

昨

ZU O

yesterday

224

吧

ba

P (a sen ten ce-en din g particle)

23

所

SUO

*so ; place

162

要

yao

to want

195

以

yT

with

198

瓶

ping

bottle

135

久

jiu

long time

98

起

qi

to rise

136

錯/错

cuo

wrong; error

45

給/给

gei

to give

68

想

xiang

to want to; to think

185

杯

bei

cup; g lass

28

覺/觉

jiao /ju e

to sle ep / to feel; to think

99

玩

wan

to play; to have fun

173

得

de/dei

to obtain; to get; P/ must; have to

48

圖/图

tu

picture; drawing

171

意

y)

館/馆

guan

place; building

73

meaning

199

思

聊

liao

to chat

113

si

to think

159

只

才

cai

not until; only then

34

zhl

only

217

睡

回

hui

to return

84

shut

to sleep

158

算

suan

to calculate

161

找

zhao

to look for; to seek

212

別/别

bie

other; do not

32

LESSO N

LESSO N

5

呀

ya

P

192

進/进

jin

to enter

96

快

kuai

fast; quick

105

來/来

lai

to come

106

介

jie

to be between

94

紹/绍

shao

to introduce; to continue

146

下

xia

below; under

182

興/兴

xing

mood; interest

189

漂

piao/

* pretty/ to float

135

piao

6

話/话

hua

speech

82

喂

wei/wei

Hello!; Hey!

176

就

jiu

ju st

99

您

nfn

you (polite)

130

位

wei

MW (for people [polite])

175

午

wu

noon

178

間/间

jian

MW (for rooms); between

90

題/题

ti

topic; question

167

開/开

kai

to open; to operate

100

會/会

hui

meeting

84

節/节

jie

MW (for classes); holiday

94

課/课

ke

class; lesson

104

grade; level

86

級/级

y


to remember; to record

88

累

lei

tired

108

床(牀）

chuang

bed

42

洗

xT

to wash

181

澡

zao

bath

211

邊/边

bian

side

31

筆 /笔

bT

pen; writing brush

30

發/发

fa

to emit; to issue

57

張/张

zhang

MW (for flat objects);

212

新

xln

new

188

(surnam e)

nao

brain

128

紙/纸

paper

217

餐

can

meal

34

教澈)

jia o /jia o

to teach / education

92

廳/厅

ting

hall

170

懂/懂

dong

to understand

54

網/网

wang

net

174

真(眞）

zhen

true; real; really

214

宿

su

to stay; to lodge

160

裏/裡/ 里

IT

inside

110

舍

she

house; residence

147

預/预

in advance; beforehand

206

正

zheng

ju st; upright

215

yu

第

(ordinal prefix)

51

前

qian

front; before

138

dl

語/语

205

告

to tell; to inform

67

language

gao

yu

The W ay o f C hinese Characters

231

INDEXES

腦/脑

zhT

訴 /诉

SU

to tell; to relate

161

紅/红

hong

red

79

已

yT

already

198

穿

chuan

to wear; to p a ss through

42

經 /经

jTng

to p ass through

97

條 /条

tiao

MW (for long, thin objects)

168

知

zhl

to know

216

褲 /裤

ku

pants

105

道

dao

road; way

48

宣

yf

suitable

197

封

feng

MW (for letters)

62

如

ru

as; if

143

信

xi n

letter; to believe

188

果

guo

fruit; result

74

最

ZUI

most

224

長 /长

ch an g/

lon g/ to grow; leader

36

近

jin

close; near

95

除

chu

except

41

專/专

zhuan

special

221

• 业

ye

profession

197

希

x了

to hope

180

望

wang

to hope; to gaze

175

能

neng

can; to be able to

128

用

yong

to use

203

笑

xiao

to laugh; to smile

186

祝

zhu

to wish (well)

221

LESSO N

9

zhang 短

duan

short

55

合

he

to suit; to fit

78

適 /适

shi

to suit; appropriate

153

共

gong

altogether

70

少

sh a o /

few; little; le ss/ young

146

shao 錢 /钱

qian

money

138

塊/块

kuai

piece; dollar

106

毛

mao

hair; dime

120

fen

penny; minute

61

百

bai

hundred

20

雙 /双

shuang

pair

157

#

一

商

shang

com m erce; busin ess

145

鞋

xie

sh o es

187

店

dian

store; shop

51

換 /换

huan

to exchange; to change

83

買/买

mai

to buy

118

黑

hei

black

79

東/东

dong

east

53

雖/虽

suT

although

162

西

xi

w est

180

然

ran

like that; so

141

售

shou

sale; to sell

154

種 /种

zh on g/

kinds; ty p es/ to plant

219

貨 /货

huo

m erchandise

85

員/ 员

yuan

personnel

206

月 艮

fu

clothing; to serve

62

件

jian

MW (for items)

91

襯 /衬

chen

lining

38

衫

shan

shirt

145

顔/ 颜

yan

face; countenance

192

色

se

color

144

黃/黄

huang

yellow

84

232

zhong 挺

ting

very; rather

170

它

ta

it

163

刷

shua

to brush; to swipe

157

卡

ka

card

100

收

shou

to receive; to accept

153

過 /过

guo

to pass

75

付

fu

to pay

63

The Way o f Chinese Characters

LESSO N

10

LESSO N

11

寒

han

cold

76

比

bT

to com pare

30

假

jia

vacation

90

雪

xue

snow

190

飛/飞

fei

to fly

60

園/园

yuan

garden

207

機/机

jT

machine

86

滑

hua

slippery; to slide

81

票

piao

ticket

134

冰

bTng

ice

32

場/场

chang

field

37

剛/刚

gang

ju st now

66

汽

q»

steam ; g a s

137

報/报

bao

to report; new spaper

27

車/车

che

vehicle; car

12

更

ge n g /

even m ore/ to alternate

69

geng

或

huo

or

85

者 地

zhe

(aux. verb)

213

d'l/de

earth/ P

50

鐵/铁

tie

iron

169

站

zhan

stand; station

212

綠/绿

lu

green

117

線/线

xian

line; route

184

藍/蓝

Ian

blue

107

麻

ma

hemp; numb

117

煩/烦

fan

to bother; to trouble

58

出

chu

to go out

40

租

zu

to rent

223

送

son g

to see off; to deliver

159

郵/邮

you

post; mail

204

讓/让

rang

to allow; to cause; to let

141

花

hua

to spend; flower

81

每

mei

every; each

121

城

cheng

city; town

39

市

shi

city; market

151

特

te

special

166

速

su

speed

160

像

xiang

likeness; portrait

185

路

lu

road; way

115

務/务

wu

affair; task

179

緊/紧

jTn

ten se; tight

95

桌

zhuo

table; desk

222

Zl

self

223

盤/盘

pan

plate; dish

132

己

JT

on eself

87

餃/饺

jiao

dumpling

93

灣/湾

wan

strait; bay

172

白

er

(conj.)

57

且

qie

(conj.)

138

暖

nuan

warm

130

冷

leng

cold

109

碟

die

disc; saucer

52

非

fei

not; non-

60

糟

zao

m essy; rotten

210

糕

gao

cake

67

冬

dong

winter

53

夏

xia

sum m er

182

熱/热

re

hot

142

春

chun

spring

43

秋

qiu

autumn; fall

140

舒

shu

to stretch; to smooth out

156

加

jia

to add

89

州

zhou

adm inistrative division; state

219

悶/闷

men/

stuffy/ depressed

122

men

LESSO N

12

233

IN D E X E S

The W ay o f C hinese Characters

而

素

SU

vegetarian; m ade from

160

vegetables

豆

dou

bean

55

腐

fu

rotten; to turn bad

62

放

fang

to put; to place

59

肉

rou

meat; flesh

143

碗

wan

bowl

173

酸

suan

sour

161

辣

la

spicy

106

湯/汤

tang

soup

164

味

wei

flavor; taste

176

精

jTng

essen ce; refined

97

鹽/盐

yan

salt

193

賣/卖

mai

to sell

119

完

wan

finished

172

青

qing

green; blue

139

渴

ke

thirsty

103

些

xie

MW (for indefinite amount);

186

楚

chu

clear; neat

41

關/关

guan

to involve; to close

72

係/系

XI

to relate to

182

海

hai

se a

76

13

LESSO N

som e

運/运

yun

to move

209

動/动

dong

to move

54

旁

pang

side; edge

132

遠/远

yuan

far

207

離/离

If

away from

109

活

huo

to live; living

85

拿

na

to take; to get

125

次

Cl

MW (for occurrences)

43

從/从

cong

from

44

直

zhf

straight

217

往

wang

toward; past

174

南

nan

south

127

够

gou

enough

71

拐

guai

to turn

72

餓/饿

e

hungry

56

哎

ai

22

傅

fu

tutor; instructor

64

(exclam atory particle to e x p re ss surprise or

糖

tang

sugar; candy

165

燈/灯

deng

light; lamp

49

醋

cu

vinegar

44

右

you

right

205

魚/鱼

yu

fish

16

左

zuo

left

224

甜

tian

sweet

168

極/极

i'

extremely; pole

86

燒/烧

shao

to burn

146

牛

niu

cow; ox

7

涼/凉

Hang

cool

112

拌

ban

to mix

25

瓜

gua

melon; gourd

72

米 忘

mi

uncooked rice

12

wang

to forget

174

帶/带

dai

to bring; to take; to carry

45

清

qing

clear; clean; pure

139

234

dissatisfaction)

LESSO N

14

表

biao

surface; matrilineal relatives

32

禮/礼

IT

gift; ceremony

111

物

wu

thing; m atter

179

本

ben

MW (for books); foundation

29

飲/饮

yin

to drink

200

料

liao

material

114

把

ba

MW (for objects with handles)

23

蘋/苹

Ping

com ponent in apple

136

蘋果/苹果

The W ay o f C hinese Characters

梨

If

pear

109

檢/检

jian

to inspect

91

住

zhu

to live (in a certain place)

220

查

cha

to check; to look up

35

zh on g/

heavy; serio u s/ again

219

壞 /坏

huai

bad

83

針/ 针

zhen

needle

214

接

jie

to receive; to welcome

93 藥/药

yao

medicine

195

樓/楼

lou

m ulti-storied building; floor

114

片

pian

MW (for tablet; slice); slice

134

遍

bian

MW (for com plete courses of

31

重

chong

(of building)

鐘/钟

zhong

頭/头

tou

h e a d ;to p

171

聰/聪

cong

able to hear well; sm art

44

感

gan

to feel; to sen se

65

暑

shu

heat; sum m er

156

冒

mao

to belch; to emit

120

班

ban

class

24

身

shen

body

148

屬/属

shu

to belong to

156

體 /体

tT

body

167

狗

gou

dog

70

癢/ 痒

yang

itchy

194

臉/脸

Man

face

112

敏

mTn

nimble; agile

123

圓/ 圆

yuan

round

207

健

jian

healthy

92

眼

yan

eye

193

康

kang

healthy; affluent

101

睛

jin g

eyeball

96

保

bao

to protect; insurance

27

鼻

bi

nose

29

險/险

xian

risk; danger

183

嘴

zuT

mouth

223

趕/ 赶

gan

to rush for

65

定

ding

settled; decided

52

越

yue

to exceed

209

蛋

dan

egg

47

休

xiu

to cease; to rest

190

倫/伦

lun

ethics; moral principles

116

息

xl

to cease; to rest

180

姆

mu

housem aid

125

懶/ 懒

Ian

lazy

107

亂/乱

luan

randomly; m essily

115

218

clock

an action or instances o f an

LESSO N

action)

15 LESSO N

16

bing

illness; to becom e ill

33

院

yuan

yard

208

印

yin

to print

201

肚

du

belly; abdom en

55

象

xiang

elephant; appearance; shape

185

疼

teng

to be painful

166

成

cheng

to becom e; to succeed

38

to die; (a com plem ent

159

演

yan

to act; to perform

193

費/ 费

fei

to spend; to take (effort)

61

俩/俩

lia

(coll.) two

111

碼/码

ma

(symbol indicating a number)

118

搬

ban

to move

24

掃/扫

sao

to sweep

144

死

sT

indicating an extrem e degree)

夜

ye

night

196

厕

ce

toilet

35

箱

xiang

b o x ;c a s e

184

躺

tang

to lie (down)

165

The Way o f C hinese Characters

235

INDEXES

病

LESSO N

18

整

zM n g

to put in order

215

理

IT

reason; in good order

110

胖

pang

fat

132

房

fang

house

59

怕

pa

to fear; to be afraid of

131

旅

IQ

to travel

116

簡 /简

jian

sim ple

91

單/单

dan

single

46

跑

pao

to run

133

LESSO N

17

吵

chao

to quarrel; noisy

38

步

bu

step; pace

33

連/ 连

lian

even; to link

111

受

shou

to bear

154

廣/广

guang

wide; vast

73

拍

pai

to clap; racket

131

附

fu

to attach; near

63

籃 /篮

Ian

basket

107

套

tao

MW (for suite or set)

165

游

you

to swim

203

寓

yu

residence

205

泳

yong

swimming

202

臥/卧

wo

to lie (down)

178

危

wei

danger

175

廚/ 厨

chu

kitchen

41

淹

yan

to subm erge; to drown

192

衛/卫

wei

to guard; to protect

177

願/愿

yuan

wish; hope

208

傢/ 家

jia

furniture

89

提

ti

to lift

167

具

ju

tool; utensil

99

賽 /赛

sai

gam e; competition

143

乾/干

gan

dry

65

際/际

ji

border; boundary

88

淨/净

j'mg

clean; pure

97

式

shi

type; style

151

沙

sha

sand

144

yTng/

sh ould/ to respond

201

應 /应

ying

椅

yT

chair

199

架

jia

shelf

90

安

an

calm; safe

22

靜/ 静

jing

quiet

98

元

yuan

MW (for unit of Chinese

206

currency); yuan

該/ 该

gai

should; ought to

64

腳 /脚

jiao

foot

92

踢

ti

to kick

166

抱

bao

to hold or carry in o n e ’s arm s

27

壓 /压

ya

to p ress; to weigh down

191

民

min

the people; folk

123

被

bei

by; quilt

28

幣/ 币

bi

currency; coin

30

擔/担

dan

to be burdened with

46

差

cha

to fall short of

36

棒

bang

fantastic

26

押

ya

to give as security

191

當/ 当

dang

to serve as; to be

47

另

ling

other; another

114

司

sT

to take charge of

158

准

zhun

to allow

222

實/ 实

shf

solid; reality

150

養 /养

yang

to raise

194

計 /计

to count

87

趣

qu

interest; interesting

141

書!1/ 划

hua

to plan; to divide

82

寵 /宠

ch6ng

to dote on

40

父

fCi

father

63

236

LESSO N

19

The W ay o f C hinese Characters

LESSO N

20

母

mu

mother

125

首

shou

head

154

托

tuo

to entrust

171

政

zheng

politics

215

包

bao

bag; sack; bundle; package

26

治

zhi

to govern; to m anage

218

超

chao

to exceed; to su rp ass

37

化

hua

to transform ; to influence

82

登

deng

to climb; to ascend

49

勝/胜

sheng

victory; wonderful

149

牌

pai

plate; card; brand

131

古

gu

ancient

71

哭

ku

to cry; to weep

104

蹟/迹

ji

rem ains; ruins

88

顧/顾

gu

to look after; to attend to

71

導/导

dao

to lead; to guide

47

叔

shu

uncle

155

遊/游

you

to roam; to travel

203

阿

a

(a prefix)

21

護/护

hu

to protect

81

姨

y i

aunt

198

訂/订

ding

to reserve; to book (a ticket, a

53

迎

ying

to welcome

202

瘦

shou

thin; slim (of a person or

155

hotel room, etc.)

簽/签

qian

to sign

137

證/证

zheng

proof; certificate

216

animal)

爺/爷

ye

grandpa; (respectful form of

195

ad dress for elderly men)

社

she

organized body

147

香

xiang

fragrant

184

港

gang

harbor

66

臺/台

tai

platform ; deck

164

初

chu

beginning; elementary

40

程

cheng

journey; schedule

39

返

fan

to return

58

航

hang

to navigate

77

千

qTan

thousand

20

折

zhe

to fold

213

轉/转

zhuan/

to turn

221

奶

nai

milk; (paternal) grandm other

126

烤

kao

to bake; to roast; to grill

102

鴨/鸭

ya

duck

191

LEVEL

慣/惯 啤 酒 助

'

葉/叶

2

guan

to be used to

73

Pf

*b eer

133

jiu

wine

98

zhu

to assist; to aid

220

ye

leaf

196

zhuan

靠

kao

to lean on; to rely on

102

窗

chuang

window

42

戶/户

hu

door; household

80

份

fen

MW (for meal orders, jo b s)

61

INDEXES

The W ay o f C hinese Characters

237

C H A R A C TER IN DEX Alphabetical by Pinyin

A

*

=

Bound Form

MW

=

Measure Word

P

=

Particle

QP

=

Question Particle

()

=

Variant/Radical Form

杯

bei

cup; glass

28

阿

a

(a prefix)

21

北

bei

north

28

啊

a

P

21

貝

bei

cowry shell

13

哎

ai

(exclam atory particle

22

被

bei

by; quilt

28

備/备

bei

to prepare

29

to e x p re ss surprise or dissatisfaction) 愛/爱

ai

love; to love

22

本

ben

MW (for books); foundation

29

安

an

calm; safe

22

鼻

bi

nose

29

比

bT

to com pare

30

筆/笔

bT

pen; writing brush

30

幣/ 币

bi

currency; coin

30

邊 /边

bian

side

31

便

bian

convenient; handy

31

遍

bian

MW (for com plete courses of

31

B 八

ba

eight

19

把

ba

MW (for objects with handles)

23

爸

ba

father; dad

23

吧

ba

P (a sen ten ce-en din g particle)

23

白

bai

white; (surname)

24

百 .

bai

hundred

20

表

biao

surface; matrilineal relatives

32

班

ban

class

24

別 /别

bie

other; do not

32

搬

ban

to move

24

冰

blng

ice

32

半

ban

half

25

病

bing

illness; to becom e ill

33

拌

ban

to mix

25

不

bu

not; no

33

辧 /办

ban

to m anage

25

步

bu

step; pace

33

幫/帮

bang

to help

26

棒

bang

fantastic

26

包

bao

bag; sack; bundle; package

26

才

cai

not until; only then

34

保

bao

to protect; insurance

27

菜

cai

dish; cuisine; vegetable

34

抱

bao

to hold or carry in on e’s arm s

27

餐

can

meal

34

報 /报

bao

to report; new spaper

27

厕

ce

toilet

35

action)

c

239

IN D EXES

The W ay o f C hinese Characters

an action or instances of an

D

查

cha

to check; to look up

35

茶

cha

tea

35

打

da

to hit

45

差

cha

to fall short of

36

大

da

big; great

4

長 /长

chang

long

36

帶 /带

dai

to bring; to take; to carry

45

常

chang

often; ordinary

36

單/单

dan

single

46

場 /场

chang

field

37

擔/担

dan

to be burdened with

46

唱

chang

to sing

37

但

dan

but; however

46

超

chao

to exceed; to su rp ass

37

蛋

dan

egg

47

吵

chao

to quarrel; noisy

38

當/当

dang

to serve as; to be

47

車 /车

che

vehicle; car

12

刀 （J

dao

knife

1

襯/衬

chen

lining

38

導 /导

dao

to lead; to guide

47

成

cheng

to become; to succeed

38

到

dao

to arrive

48

城

cheng

city; town

39

道

dao

road; way

48

程

cheng

journey; schedule

39

得

de

to obtain; to get; P

48

吃

chi

to eat

39

得

dei

must; have to

48

重

chong

again

219

的

de

p o sse ssiv e P

49

寵/宠

chong

to dote on

40

地

de

P

50

出

chu

to go out

40

登

deng

to climb; to ascend

49

初

chu

beginning; elementary

40

燈 /灯

deng

light; lamp

49

除

chu

except

41

等

deng

to wait; rank

50

廚/厨

chu

kitchen

41

地

di

earth

50

楚

chu

clear; neat

41

弟

di

younger brother

50

穿

chuan

to wear; to p a ss through

42

第

di

(ordinal prefix)

51

窗

chuang

window

42

點/点

dian

dot; o ’clock

51

床 (牀 ）

chuang

bed

42

店

dian

store; shop

51

春

chun

spring

43

電/ 电

dian

electricity

52

詞/词

Cl

word

43

碟

die

disc; saucer

52

次

Cl

MW (for occurrences)

43

定

ding

settled; decided

52

聰 /聪

cong

able to hear well; sm art

44

訂 /订

ding

to reserve; to book (a ticket, a hotel room, etc.)

53

從 /从

cong

from

44 冬

dong

winter

53

醋

cu

vinegar

44 東 /东

dong

east

53

寸

cun

inch

5 懂

dong

to understand

54

錯 /错

cuo

wrong; error

45 動 /动

dong

to move

54

都

d6u

all; both

54

240

|)

The Way o f Chinese Characters

显

dou

bean

55

復/ 复

fu

to d u p licate

64

都

du

capital

54

傅

fu

tutor; in stru ctor

64

肚

du

belly; abdom en

55

短

duan

short

55

對 /对

du]

correct; toward

56

該/ 该

gai

should; ought to

64

多

duo

many; much

56

乾/ 干

gan

dry

65

感

gan

to feel; to sen se

65

趕/ 赶

gan

to rush for

65

E

G

餓 /饿

e

hungry

56

剛/ 刚

gang

ju st now

66

而

er

(conj.)

57

港

gang

harbor

66

兒/儿

er

son; child

57

闻

gao

tall; high

66

耳

er

ear

11

糕

gao

cake

67

二

er

two

17

告

gao

to tell; to inform

67

戈

ge

d agge r-ax e

7

哥

ge

elder brother

67

F fa

to emit; to issu e

57

歌

ge

song

68

法

fa

method; way; law

58

個/ 个

ge

MW (general)

68

煩 /烦

fan

to bother; to trouble

58

給/ 给

gei

to give

68

返

fan

to return

58

跟

gen

with; and

69

飯 /饭

fan

meal; (cooked) rice

59

更

geng

to alternate

69

方

fang

square; side; method

9

更

geng

even more

69

房

fang

house

59

工

gong

tool; work; labor

5

放

fang

to put; to place

59

弓

gong

bow

6

fei

not; non-

60

公

gong

public

69

啡

fei

*coffee

60

功

gong

skill

70

飛/飞

fei

to fly

60

共

gong

altogether

70

費/费

fei

to spend; to take (effort)

61

狗

gou

dog

70

分

fen

penny; minute

61

够

gou

enough

71

份

fen

MW (for meal orders, jo b s)

61

古

gu

ancient

71

封

feng

MW (for letters)

62

顧/ 顾

gu

to look after; to attend to

71

服

fu

clothing; to serve

62

瓜

gua

melon; gourd

72

腐

fu

rotten; to turn bad

62

拐

guai

to turn

72

父

fu

father

63

關/ 关

guan

to involve; to close

72

付

fu

to pay

63

館/ 馆

guan

place; building

73

附

fu

to attach ; n ear

63

慣/ 惯

guan

to be used to

73

The Way o f C hinese Characters

241

INDEXES

發 /发

廣/广

guang

wide; vast

73

換/ 换

huan

to exch ange; to change

83

貴/贵

gui

honorable; expensive

74

黄 ( 黃）

huang

yellow

84

國/ 国

guo

country; nation

74

回

hui

to return

84

果

guo

fruit; result

74

會/ 会

hui

meeting

84

過/过

guo

to p ass

75

活

huo

to live; living

85

火 C、 、 、 ）

huo

fire

9

或

huo

or

85

H 孩

hai

child

75

貨/ 货

huo

m erchandise

85

還/还

hai

still; yet

75

和

huo

*w arm

78

海

hai

sea

76

寒

han

cold

76

漢/汉

han

Chinese ethnicity

76

機/ 机

行

hang

bank; firm

189

航

hang

to navigate

好

hao

好

J machine

86

級/ 级

grade; level

86

77

極/ 极

extremely; pole

86

good; fine

77

己

on eself

87

hao

to like; to be fond of

77

幾/ 几

how many; a few

87

號/号

hao

number

77

計/ 计

j'

to count

87

喝

he

to drink

78

記/ 记

j'

to rem em ber; to record

88

A

he

to suit; to fit

78

際/ 际

j«

border; boundary

88

和

he

and; harm onious

78

蹟/ 迹

rem ains; ruins

88

里

hei

black

79

加

jia

to add

89

很

hen

very

79

家

jia

family; home

89

紅/红

hong

red

79

傢

jia

furniture

89

後/后

hou

after; behind

80

架

jia

shelf

90

候

hou

time; season ; await

80

假

jia

vacation

90

戶/户

hu

door; househould

80

間/ 间

jian

MW (for rooms); between

90

護/护

hu

to protect

81

檢/ 检

jian

to inspect

91

花

hua

to spend; flower

81

簡/ 简

jian

sim ple

91

滑

hua

slippery; to slide

81

件

jian

MW (for items)

91

化

hua

to transform ; to influence

82

見/ 见

jian

to see

13

話/话

hua

speech

82

健

jian

healthy

92

劃/划

hua

to plan; to divide

82

教 ( 敎）

jiao

to teach

92

壞/坏

huai

bad

83

腳/脚

jiao

foot

92

歡/欢

huan

happy; joy ous

83

餃/饺

jiao

dumpling

93

還/还

huan

to exchange; to return

75

叫

jiao

to be called; to call

93

242

JT

jT

The W ay o f C hinese Characters

覺 /觉

jia o

to sleep

99

刻

ke

quarter (hour); to carve

103

教 (敎 ）

jia o

education

92

客

ke

g u est

103

接

jie

to receive; to welcome

93

課 /课

ke

class; lesson

104

節 /节

jie

MW (for classes); holiday

94

空

kong

em pty；sky

104

姐

j«e

elder sister

94

空

kong

free time

104

介

jie

to be between

94

p

kou

mouth; entrance

2

金

JTn

metal; gold; (surnam e)

14

哭

ku

to cry; to weep

104

今

jin

today; now

95

酷

ku

cool; cruel

105

緊/紧

jin

ten se; tight

95

褲 /裤

ku

pants

105

近

Jn

c l o s e ; 门 car

95

快

kuai

fast; quick

105

進 /进

jin

to enter

96

塊 /块

kuai

piece; dollar

106

京

jin g

capital city

96

睛

jTng

eyeball

96

精

jin g

essen ce; refined

97

經 /经

jTng

to p a ss through

97

淨/净

jin g

clean; pure

97

靜 /静

jin g

quiet

98

九

jiu

nine

19

久

j«u

long time

酒

L 辣

la

spicy

106

來 /来

lai

to come

106

藍 /蓝

Ian

blue

107

籃 /篮

Ian

basket

107

懶 /懒

Ian

lazy

107

98

老

lao

old

108

jiu

wine

98

樂/乐

le

happy

209

就

jiu

ju st

99

了 —

le

P

108

具

ju

tool; utensil

99

累

lei

tired

108

覺 /觉

ju e

to fe el; to think

99

冷

leng

cold

109

梨

If

pear

109

離/离

If

away from

109

K 咖

ka

*coffee

100

李

IT

plum; (surname)

110

卡

ka

card

100

理

IT

reason; in good order

110

開/ 开

kai

to open; to operate

100

裏/ 裡/

IT

inside

110

禮 /礼

IT

gift; ceremony

111

力

li

power; strength

2

倆 /俩

lia

(coll.) two

111

連 /连

lian

even; to link

111

臉 /脸

lian

face

112

練 /练

lian

to practice; to drill

112

kan

to watch; to read

101

康

kang

healthy; affluent

101

考

kao

test; to test

101

烤

kao

to bake; to roast; to grill

102

靠

kao

to lean on; to rely on

102

可

ke

but; to permit

102

渴

ke

thirsty

103

The W ay o f Chinese Characters

243

IN DEXES

看

里

涼/ 凉

liang

cool

112

悶/ 闷

men

depressed

122

兩/ 两

liang

two; a couple of

113

們/ 们

men

*(plural suffix)

122

亮/ 亮

liang

bright

113

米

ml

uncooked rice

12

聊

liao

to chat

113

糸

mi

silk

11

料

liao

material

114

面

mian

face

123

另

ling

other; another

114

民

min

the people; folk

123

六

liu

six

18

敏

min

nimble; agile

123

樓/ 楼

lou

m ulti-storied building; floor (of building)

114

名

ming

name

124

明

mmg

bright

124

路

lu

road; way

115

末

mo

end

124

錄/ 录

lu

to record

115

没 ( 沒）

mo

to sink

121

亂/ 乱

luan

randomly; m essily

115 母

mu

m other

125

倫/ 伦

lun

ethics; moral principles

116

姆

mu

housemaid

125

旅

IQ

to travel

116

木

mu

wood

8

律

10

law; rule

116

巨

mu

eye

10

綠/ 绿

IQ

green

117

N M 媽 /妈

ma

mother; mom

117

麻

ma

hemp; numb

117

馬 /马

ma

horse

16

碼 /码

ma

(symbol indicating a number)

118

嗎 /吗

ma

QP

118

買/买

mai

to buy

118

賣/卖

mai

to sell

119

慢

man

slow

119

忙

mang

busy

119

毛

mao

hair; dime

120

冒

mao

to belch; to emit

120

麽 /么

me

*QP

120

没 (沒 ）

mei

(have) not

121

美

mei

beautiful

121

每

mei

every; each

121

妹

mei

younger sister

122

悶/闷

men

stuffy

122

門/ 门

men

door; gate

15

244

拿

na

to take; to get

125

哪

na/nei

which

126

那

na/nei

that

126

奶

nai

milk; (paternal) grandmother

126

男

nan

male

127

南

nan

south

127

難/ 难

nan

difficult; hard

127

腦/ 脑

nao

brain

128

呢

ne

QP

128

neng

can; to be able to

128

你

nT

you

129

年

nian

year

129

唸/ 念

nian

to read aloud

129

您

nfn

you (polite)

130

牛

niu

cow; ox

7

紐/ 纽

niu

knob; button

130

暖

nuan

warm

130

女

nu

female; woman

4

The W ay o f Chinese Characters

P

秋

qiu

autumn; fall

140

怕

pa

to fear; to be afraid of

131

球

qiu

ball

140

拍

pai

to clap; racket

131

去

qu

to go

140

牌

pai

plate; card; brand

131

趣

qu

interest; interesting

141

盤/盘

pan

plate; dish

132

旁

pang

side; edge

132

胖

pang

fat

132

跑

pao

to run

133

朋

peng

friend

133

*b ee r

133

啤

篇

pian

MW (for articles)

134

便

pi an

^inexpensive

31

片

pian

MW (for tablets, films); slice

134

漂

piao

to float

135

票

piao

ticket

134

漂

piao

*pretty

135

平

ping

level; even

135

瓶

Ping

bottle

135

蘋/苹

ping

com ponent in apple

136

蘋果/苹果

Q q»

seven

18

期

qi

period (of time)

136

起

qi

to rise

136

汽

q*

steam ; g a s

137

氣/气

qi

air

137

千'

qian

thousand

20

簽/签

qian

to sign

137

前

qian

front; before

138

錢/钱

qian

money

138

且

qie

(conj.)

138

青

qing

green; blue

139

清

qTng

clear; clean; pure

139

請/请

qTng

please; to invite

139

The W ay o f Chinese Characters

然

ran

like that; so

141

讓/ 让

rang

to allow; to cause; to let

141

熱/热

re

hot

142

人M )

ren

p e rso n ; p eo p le

1

認/认

ren

to reco g n ize; to know

142

曰

ri

su n ; day

8

容

rong

to hold; to contain

142

肉

rou

m eat; flesh

143

如

ru

a s; if

143

s 賽/赛

sai

gam e; competition

143

三

san

three

17

掃/扫

sao

to sweep

144

色

se

color

144

沙

sha

sand

144

衫

shan

shirt

145

商

shang

com m erce; busin ess

145

上

shang

above; top

145

燒/烧

shao

to burn

146

少

shao

few; little; less

146

紹/绍

shao

to introduce; to continue

146

少

shao

young

146

社

she

organized body

147

舍

she

house; residence

147

誰/谁

shei

who

147

身

shen

body

148

什 ( 甚）

shen

*what

148

生

sheng

to be born; to grow

148

245

IN D EXES

七

R

勝/ 胜

sheng

victory; wonderful

149

司

si

to take charge of

158

師/ 师

shl

teacher

149

思

si

to think

159

十

shi

ten

19

死

si

159

時/ 时

shf

time

149

to die; (a complement indicating an extreme degree)

食

shf

to eat

四

SI

four

17

16

shf

to see off; to deliver

solid; reality

159

150

送

song

實/实 識/ 识

shi

vegetarian; made from

160

150

素

su

to recognize

始

shl

to begin

示 ( 彳）

shi

to show

市

shi

city; market

式

shi

type; style

事

shi

affair; matter

是

shl

to be

室

shi

room

視/ 视

shi

to view; to look at

試/ 试

shi

test; to try

153

適/ 适

shi

to suit; appropriate

153

收

shou

to receive; to accept

153

手 (才)

shou

hand

7

首

shou

head

154

受

shou

to bear

154

售

shou

sale; to sell

154

瘦

shou

thin; slim (of a person or

155

vegetables

150

速/速

su

speed

160

11

宿

su

to stay; to lodge

160

151

訴/ 诉

su

to tell; to relate

161

151

酸

suan

sour

161

151

算

suan

to calculate

161

152

雖/ 虽

su!

although

162

152

歲/ 岁

SUI

age

162

152

所 ( 所）

suo

*so; place

162

animal)

T

它

ta

it

163

他

ta

he

163

她

ta

she

163

臺/ 台

tai

platform; deck

164

太

tai

too; extremely

164

湯/ 汤

tang

soup

164

tang

sugar; candy

165

tang

to lie (down)

165

tao

MW (for suite or set)

165

te

special

166

teng

to be painful

166

tl

to kick

166

叔

shu

uncle

155

糖

書/书

shu

book

155

^

舒

shu

to stretch; to smooth out

156

^

暑

shu

heat; summer

156

胃

屬/ 属

shu

to belong to

156

^

刷

shua

to brush; to swipe

157

®

帥/ 帅

shuai

handsome; smart

157

胃

tf

to lift

167

雙/ 双

shuang

pair

157

題/题

ti

topic; question

167

水 (？）

shuT

water

9

體/体

tl

body

167

睡

shui

to sleep

158

夭

tian

sky; day

168

說/说

shuo

to speak

158

®

tian

field; (surname)

10

tian

sweet

168

甜

246

The W ay o f C hinese Character

條/ 条

tiao

MW (for long, thin objects)

168

五

WU

five

18

跳

tiao

to jum p

169

午

WU

noon

178

鐵/ 铁

tie

iron

169

舞

WU

to dance; dance

179

聽/ 听

ting

to listen

169

物

WU

thing; matter

179

廳/ 厅

ting

hall

170

務/务

WU

affair; task

179

挺

ting

very; rather

170

同

tong

sam e

170

頭/ 头

tou

h e a d ;to p

171

圖/ 图

tu

picture; drawing

171

土

tu

earth

3

托

tuo

to entrust

171

W

X 夕

XT

sunset; evening

3

西

xl

w est

180

希

xl

to hope

180

息

xl

to cease; to rest

180

習/习

XI

to practice

181

喜

xT

to like; happy

181

外

wai

outside; foreign

172

洗

xT

to wash

181

灣/ 湾

wan

strait; bay

172

係 /系

XI

to relate to

182

完

wan

finished

172

下

xia

below; under

182

玩

wan

to play; to have fun

173

夏

xia

sum m er

182

晚

wan

evening; late

173

先

xian

first

183

碗

wan

bowl

173

險/险

xian

risk; danger

183

王

wang

king; (surnam e)

10

現 /现

xian

now; present

183

往

wang

toward; past

174

線 /线

xian

line; route

184

網/ 网

wang

net

174

香

xiang

fragrant

184

忘

wang

to forget

174

箱

xiang

b o x ;c a s e

184

望

wang

to hope; to gaze

175

想

xiang

to want; to think

185

危

wei

danger

175

象

xiang

elephant; appearance; shape

185

□

wei

enclose

3

像

xiang

likeness; portrait

185

位

wei

MW (for people [polite])

175

小

xiao

little; small

5

味

wei

flavor; taste

176

校

xiao

school

186

為/ 为

wei/wei

for

176

笑

xiao

to laugh; to smile

186

喂

wei/wei

Hello!; Hey!

176

j ib

xie

MW (for indefinite amount);

186

衛/ 卫

wei

to guard; to protect

177

文

wen

(written) language; script

177

問/ 问

wen

to ask (a question)

177

我

wo

1; me

178

臥/ 卧

wo

to lie (down)

178

som e 鞋

xie

shoes

187

寫/与

xie

to write

187

謝 /谢

xie

to thank

187

心 (十 )

xln

heart

6

X m

m

in

The W ay o f C hinese Characters

247

新

xln

new

188

醫/医

yT

doctor; medicine

197

信

xi n

letter; to believe

188

宜

W

suitable

197

星

xlng

star

188

姨

yf

aunt

198

行

xmg

to walk; okay

189

已

yT

already

198

姓

xlng

surnam e

189

以

yT

with

198

興

xing

mood; interest

189

椅

yT

chair

199

休

xiu

to cease; to rest

190

yi

easy

199

學/学

xue

to study

190

易 rtr.

yi

meaning

199

雪

xue

snow

190

因

yin

because

200

音

yin

sound; music

200

飲/饮

yin

to drink

200

Y 押

ya

to give as security

191

印

yin

to print

201

鴨/鸭

ya

duck

191

英

yTng

flower; hero; *England

201

壓/压

ya

to p ress; to weigh down

191

應/应

ying

should

201

呀

ya

P

192

迎

ymg

to welcome

202

淹

yan

to subm erge; to drown

192

影

yTng

shadow

202

言/ i

yan

word; speech

13

應/应

ying

to respond

201

顔/ 颜

yan

face; countenance

192

泳

yong

swimming

202

鹽/ 盐

yan

salt

193

用

yong

to use

203

眼

yan

eye

193

游

you

to swim

203

演

yan

to act; to perform

193

遊/ 游

you

to roam; to travel

203

養/ 养

yang

to raise

194

郵/ 邮

you

post; mail

204

癢/痒

yang

itchy

194

友

you

friend

204

樣/样

yang

kind; appearance

194

有

you

to have; to exist

204

幺

yao

tiny; small

6

又

you

right hand; again

2

要

yao

to want

195

右

you

right

205

藥/ 药

yao

medicine

195

魚/鱼

yu

fish

16

爺/爷

ye

grandpa; (respectful form of

195

雨

yu

rain

15

語/语

yu

language

205

寓

yu

residence

205

預/预

yu

in advance; beforehand

206

元

yuan

MW (for unit of Chinese

206

ad d ress for elderly men)

也

ye

also; too

196

夜

ye

night

196

葉/叶

ye

leaf

196

currency): yuan

業/业

ye

profession

197

一

yT

one

17

員/员

yuan

personnel

206

衣 (丰）

yT

clothing

12

園/ 园

yuan

garden

207

248

The W ay o f C hinese Characters

圓/ 圆

yuan

round

207

直

zhi

straight

217

遠/远

yuan

far

207

只

zhT

only

217

院

yuan

yard

208

紙/纸

zhT

paper

217

m m

yuan

wish; hope

208

治

zhi

to govern; to m anage

218

約/约

yue

agreem ent; appointm ent

208

中

zhong

center; middle

218

月

yue

moon; month

8

鐘/钟

zhong

clock

218

越

yue

to exceed

209

種/种

zhong

kinds; types

219

樂/乐

yue

music

209

重

zhong

heavy; serious

219

運/运

yun

to move

209

種/种

zhong

to plant

219

州

zhou

adm inistrative division; state

219

週/周

zhou

week; cycle

220

z 在

zai

at; in; on

210

住

zhu

to live (in a certain place)

220

再

zai

again

210

助

zhu

to assist; to aid

220

糟

zao

m essy; rotten

210

祝

zhu

to wish (well)

221

早

zao

early

211

專/专

zhuan

special

221

澡

zao

bath

211

轉/转

zhuan/

to turn

221

怎

zen

*how

211

站

zhan

stand; station

212

張/张

zhang

MW (for flat objects);

212

zhuan

(surname)

隹

zhuT

short-tailed bird

15

准

zhun

to allow

222

準/准

zhun

standard; criterion

222

zhang

to grow; leader

36

桌

zhuo

table; desk

222

找

zhao

to look for; to seek

212

子

zT

baby; child

4

照

zhao

photograph; to shine

213

字

Zl

character

222

折

zhe

to fold

213

幽

Zl

se lf

223

者

zhe

(aux. verb)

213

走

zou

to walk

14

這/这

zhe(i)

this

214

租

zu

to rent

223

針/针

zhen

needle

214

足

zu

foot; enough

14

真 ( 眞）

zhen

true; real; really

214

嘴

zul

mouth

223

整

zheng

to put in order

215

最

ZU I

m ost

224

正

zheng

ju st; upright

215

昨

zuo

yesterday

224

政

zheng

politics

215

左

zuo

left

224

證/证

zheng

proof; certificate

216

坐

zuo

to sit

225

知

zhT

to know

216

作

zuo

to work; to do

225

枝

zhl

branch; MW (for long, thin

216

做

zuo

to do

225

objects)

The W ay o f Chinese Characters

IN D E X E S

長/长

Traditional CHARACTER INDEX By Stroke Count *

yT

one

17

2

Bound Form

MW

=

P

=

Particle

QP

=

Question Particle

()

=

Variant/Radical Form

Measure Word

三

san

three

17

上

shang

above; top

145

土

tu

earth

3

□

wei

enclose

3

八

ba

eight

19

夕

xl

sun set; evening

3

刀 （丨 J)

dao

knife

1

下

xia

below; under

182

二

er

two

17

小

xiao

little; small

5

九

jiu

nine

19

幺

yao

tiny; small

6

了

le

P

108

也

ye

also; too

196

力

n

power; strength

2

已

yT

already

198

七

qt

seven

18

子

zT

baby; child

4

人 M )

ren

person; people

1

十

shi

ten

19

又

you

right hand; again

2

3

4 比

bT

to compare

30

不

bu

not; no

33

方

fang

square; side

9

cai

not until; only then

34

分

fen

penny; minute

61

寸

cun

inch

5

父

fu

father

63

大

da

big; great

4

戈

ge

d a g g e r-ax e

7

工

gong

tool; work; labor

5

公

gong

public

69

弓

gong

bow

6

火 ( 川、 ）

huo

fire

9

己

JT

on eself

87

戶 /户

hu

door; household

80

久

jiu

long time

98

化

hua

to transform ; to influence

82

□

kou

mouth; entrance

2

介

jie

to be between

94

女

nu

woman; fem ale

4

今

jin

today; now

95

千

qlan

thousand

20

六

liu

six

18

The W ay o f C hinese Characters

251

IN DEXES

才

毛

mao

hair; dime

120

瓜

gu a

melon; guord

72

木

mu

wood

8

加

jia

to add

89

牛

niu

cow; ox

7

叫

jiao

to be called; to call

93

片

pian

MW (for tablets, films); slice

134

卡

ka

card

100

曰

ri

sun; day

8

可

ke

but; to permit

102

少

shao/

few; little; le ss/ young

146

另

ling

other; another

114

民

min

the people; folk

123

末

mo

end

124

母

mu

mother

125

巨

mu

eye

10

奶

nai

milk; (paternal) grandm other

126

平

ping

level; even

135

且

qie

(conj.)

138

去

qu

to go

140

生

sheng

to be born; to grow

148

示 ( 彳）

shi

to show

11

市 .，

shi

city; market

151

司

si

to take charge of

158

四

SI

four

17

他

ta

he

163

shao

什 ( 甚）

shen

*what

148

手

shou

hand

7

水 (？）

shuT

water

9

太

tai

too; extremely

164

天

tian

sky; day

168

王

wang

king; (surname)

10

文

wen

(written) language; script

177

五

wu

five

18

午

wu

noon

178

心 ( 个）

xln

heart

6

以

yT

with

198

友

you

friend

204

元

yuan

MW (for unit o f Chinese

206

currency): yuan

月

yue

moon; mouth

8

它

ta

it

163

申：

zhong

center; middle

218

台/臺

tai

platform ; deck

164

田

tian

field; (surname)

10

外

wai

outside; foreign

172

印

yin

to print

201

用

y6ng

to use

203

#

you

right

205

正

zheng

ju st; upright

215

只

zhi

only

217

左

zuo

left

224

5 白

bai

white

24

半

ban

half

25

包

bao

bag; sack; bundle; package

26

北

bei

north

28

本

ben

MW (for books); foundation

29

出

chu

to go out

40

打

da

to hit

45

冬

dong

winter

53

付

fu

to pay

63

安

an

calm; safe

22

功

gong

skill

70

百

bai

hundred

20

古

gu

ancient

71

冰

bTng

ice

32

252

6

The W ay o f C hinese Charactet

成

cheng

to becom e; to succeed

38

吃

chi

to eat

39

次

Cl

MW (for occurrences)

43

地

d i/d e

earth

50

多

duo

many; much

56

而

er

(conj.)

57

耳

er

ear

11

份

fen

MW (for meal orders, jo b s)

61

共

gong

altogether

70

好

h ao/h ao

good; fine/ to like; to be

77

fond of

行

xfng/

to walk; okay/ bank; firm

189

hang 休

xiu

to cease; to rest

190

衣 (丰 ）

yi

clothing

12

因

yin

because

200

有

you

to have; to exist

204

再

zai

again

210

在

zai

at; in; on

210

早

zao

early

211

州

zhou

administrative division; state

219

字

Zl

character

222

白

Zl

self

223

合

he

to suit; to fit

78

回

hui

to return

84

件

jian

MW (for items)

91

考

kao

test; to test

101

阿

a

(a prefix)

21

老

lao

old

108

把

ba

MW (for objects with handles)

23

忙

mang

busy

119

吧

ba

P (a sentence-ending particle)

23

米

ml

uncooked rice

12

貝/ 贝

bei

cowry shell

13

糸 (乡 ）

mi

silk

11

別 /别

bie

other; do not

32

名

ming

name

124

步

bu

step; pace

33

那

na/nei

that

126

吵

chao

to quarrel; noisy

38

年

nian

year

129

車 /车

che

vehicle; car

12

肉

rou

meat; flesh

143

初

chu

beginning; elementary

40

如

ru

as; if

143

床 (牀 ）

chuang

bed

42

色

se

color

144

但

dan

but; however

46

式

shl

type; style

151

弟

di

younger brother

50

收

shou

to receive; to accept

153

豆

dou

bean

55

死

sT

to die; (a com plem ent

159

肚

du

belly; abdom en

55

返

fan

to return

58

附

fu

to attach; near

63

告

gao

to tell; to inform

67

geng/

even m ore/ to alternate

69

indicating an extrem e degree)

ta

she

163

同

tong

sam e

170

托

tuo

to entrust

171

危

wei

danger

175

西

xT

w est

180

先

xian

first

183

The Way o f C hinese Character

更

geng 花

hua

to spend; flower

82

見/见

jian

to see

13

近

jm

close; near

95

253

IN DEXES

她

7

快

kuai

fast; quick

105

抱

bao

to hold or carry in on e’s arm s

27

來/来

lai

to come

106

杯

bei

cup; g la ss

28

冷

leng

cold

109

表

biao

surface; matrilineal relatives

32

李

IT

plum; (surname)

HO

長/长

chan g/

lon g/ leader; to grow

36

没 ( 沒）

m ei/ mo

(have) not/ to sink

121

每

mei

every; each

121

男

nan

male

127

你

ni

you

129

汽

qi

steam ; g a s

137

沙

sha

sand

144

社

she

organized body

147

身

shen

body

148

兀

wan

finished

172

忘

wang

to forget

174

位

wei

MW (for people [polite])

175

我

wo

1; me

178

希

xl

to hope

180

呀

ya

P

192

言(i )

yan

word; speech

13

迎

ymg

to welcome

202

找

zhao

to look for; to seek

212

折

zhe

to fold

213

住

zhu

to live (in a certain place)

220

助

zhu

to assist; to aid

220

走

zou

to walk

14

足

zu

foot; enough

14

坐

zuo

to sit

225

作

zuo

to work; to do

225

8

哎

ai

(exclam atory particle to ex p re ss surprise or

22

dissatisfaction)

zhang

到

dao

to arrive

48

的

de

P

49

店

dian

store; shop

51

定

ding

settled; decided

52

東/东

dong

east

53

兒/儿

er

son; child

57

法

fa

method; way; law

58

房

fang

house

59

放

fang

to put; to place

59

fei

not; non­

60

月 艮

fu

clothing; to serve

62

狗

gou

dog

70

拐

guai

to turn

72

果

guo

fruit; result

74

和

he/huo

and; h arm onious/*w arm

78

或

hud

or

85

姐

jie

elder sister

94

金 ( 韦）

jin

metal; gold; (surnam e)

14

京

jing

capital city

96

具

ju

tool; utensil

99

咖

ka

★ coffee

100

刻

ke

quarter (hour); to carve

103

空

kong/

free tim e/ empty; sky

104

kong

兩/两

liang

two; a couple of

113

妹

mei

younger sister

122

門/ 门

men

door; gate

15

明

mmg

bright

124

爸

ba

dad

23

姆

mu

housem aid

125

拌

ban

to mix

25

卩 尼

ne

QP

128

254

The W ay o f C hinese Characters

9

怕

pa

to fear; to be afraid of

131

拍

pai

to clap; racket

131

保

bao

to protect; insurance

27

朋

peng

friend

133

便

bian/

convenient; handy/

31

pian

+in6xp6 门siv6

茶

cha

tea

35

查

cha

to check; to look up

35

差

cha

to fall short of

36

城

cheng

city; town

39

除

chu

except

41

穿

chuan

to wear; to p ass through

42

春

chun

spring

43

訂/订

ding

to reserve; to book (a ticket,

53

青

qing

green; blue

139

衫

shan

shirt

145

舍

she

house; residence

147

始

shT

to begin

150

事

shi

matter; affair

151

受

shou

to bear

154

叔

shu

uncle

155

刷

shua

to brush; to swipe

157

所

suo

*s o ; place

162

玩

wan

to play; to have fun

173

飛/飞

fei

to fly

60

往 味

wang

toward

174

封

feng

MW (for letters)

62

wei

flavor; taste

176

孩

hai

child

75

臥/卧

wo

to lie (down)

178

很

hen

very

79

物

wu

thing; matter

179

紅/红

hong

red

79

xie

MW (for indefinite amount);

186

候

hou

time; season ; await

80

後/后

hou

after; behind

80

活

huo

to live; living

85

計/计

j'

to count

87

架

jia

shelf

90

看

kan

to watch; to read

101

客

ke

gu est

103

亮

liang

bright

113

律

IQ

law; rule

116

冒

mao

to belch; to emit

120

美

mei

beautiful

121

som e

姓

xing

surnam e

189

押

ya

to give a s security

191

夜

ye

night

196

宜

y(

suitable

197

易

yi

easy

199

泳

yong

swimming

202

雨

yu

rain

15

者

zhe

(aux. verb)

213

枝

zhl

branch; MW (for long, thin

216

objects)

a hotel room, etc.)

zhl

to know

216

面

mian

face

123

直

zhi

straight

217

南

nan

south

127

治

zhi

to govern; to m anage

218

胖

pang

fat

132

隹

zhul

short-tailed bird

15

前

qian

front; before

138

秋

qiu

autumn; fall

140

食（ t )

shf

to eat

16

是

shl

to be

152

The Way o f C hinese Characters

255

IN D E X E S

知

室

shi

room

152

航

首

shou

head

154

級 /级

帥/帅

shuai

handsom e; sm art

157

記 /记

思

si

to think

159

挺

ting

very; rather

為 /为

wei/wei

洗

hang

to navigate

77

grade; level

86

J'

to rem em ber; to record

88

家

jia

family; home

89

170

健

jian

healthy

92

for

176

酒

jiu

wine

98

xT

to wash

181

烤

kao

to bake; to roast; to grill

102

係 /系

XI

to relate to

182

哭

ku

to cry; to weep

104

香

xiang

fragrant

184

倆 /俩

lia

(coll.) two

111

信

xi n

letter; to believe

188

連 /连

Man

even; to link

111

星

xlng

star

188

料

liao

material

114

要

yao

to want

195

旅

IQ

to travel

116

姨

W

aunt

198

倫 /伦

lun

ethics; moral principles

116

音

yin

sound; music

200

馬 /马

ma

horse

16

英

ying

flower; hero; *England

201

們 /们

men

★ (plural suffix)

122

約 /约

yue

agreem ent; appointm ent

208

拿

na

to take; to get

125

院

yuan

yard

208

明|!

na/nei

which

126

怎

zen

*how

211

能

neng

can; to be able to

128

政

zheng

politics

215

紐 /纽

niu

knob; button

130

重

zh on g/

heavy; serio u s/ again

219

旁

pang

side; edge

132

瓶

P«ng

bottle

135

to rise

136

氣 /气

qT qi

air

137

容

rong

to hold; to contain

142

師 /师

shi

teacher

149

時/时

shf

time

149

書 /书

shu

book

155

送

son g

deliver

159

素

su

vegetarian; m ade from

160

chong 祝

zhu

to wish (well)

221

昨

zuo

yesterday

224

起

10 啊

a

P

21

班

ban

class

24

被

bei

by; quilt

28

病

bing

illness; to becom e ill

33

vegetables

都

dou/du

all; both/ capital

54

剛 /刚

gang

ju s t now

66

套

tao

MW (for suite or set)

165

高

gao

tall; high

66

特

te

special

166

哥

ge

elder brother

67

疼

teng

to be painful

166

個 /个

ge

MW (general)

68

務

wu

affair; task

179

海

hai

se a

76

息

xi

to cease; to rest

180

256

/务

The W ay o f Chinese Characters

夏

xia

sum m er

182

累

lei

tired

108

校

xiao

school

186

梨

If

pear

109

笑

xiao

to laugh; to smile

186

理

IT

reason; in good order

110

員/员

yuan

personnel

206

涼/凉

liang

cool

112

站

zhan

stand; station

212

聊

liao

to chat

113

針/针

zhen

needle

214

麻

ma

hemp; numb

117

真 ( 眞）

zhen

true; real; really

214

敏

min

nimble; agile

123

紙/纸

zhT

paper

217

唸/念

nian

to read aloud

129

准

zhun

to allow

222

您

nfn

you (polite)

130

桌

zhuo

table; desk

222

啤

Pf

*b ee r

133

租

zu

to rent

223

票

piao

ticket

134

清

qTng

clear; clean; pure

139

球

qiu

ball

140

11 cai

dish; cuisine; vegetable

34

商

shang

commerce; business

145

厠/厕

ce

toilet

35

紹/绍

shao

to introduce; to continue

146

常

chang

often; ordinary

36

視/视

shi

to view; to look at

152

唱

chang

to sing

37

售

shou

sale; to sell

154

從/从

cong

from

44

宿

su

to stay; to lodge

160

帶/带

dai

to bring; to take; to carry

45

速

su

speed

160

蛋

dan

egg

47

掃/扫

sao

to sweep

144

得

d e /d e /

to obtain; to g e t/ P/ must;

48

甜

tian

sweet

168

dei

have to

條/条

tiao

MW (for long, thin objects)

168

第

di

(ordinal prefix)

51

望

wang

to hope; to gaze

175

動/动

dong

to move

54

問/ 问

wen

to ask

177

啡

fei

*coffee

60

習/ 习

xf

to practice

181

乾/千

gan

dry

65

現/现

xian

present; now

183

够

gou

enough

71

象

xiang

elephant; appearance; shape

185

國/ 国

guo

country; nation

74

雪

xue

snow

190

黄 (黃 )

huang

yellow

84

淹

yan

to subm erge; to drown

192

貨/货

huo

m erchandise

85

眼

yan

eye

193

假

jia

vacation

90

郵/ 邮

you

post; mail

204

教徽)

jia o /jiao

to teach; education

92

魚/鱼

yu

fish

16

接

jie

to receive; to welcome

93

張/张

zhang

jin g

clean; pure

97

MW (for flat objects); (surname)

212

淨/净 康

kang

healthy; affluent

101

這/这

zhe(i)

this

214

The Way o f Chinese Character

257

iD E X E S

菜

專/专

zhuan

special

221

間/ 间

jian

MW (for rooms)

90

做

ZU O

to do

225

進/ 进

jm

to enter

96

就

jiCi

ju st

99

開/ 开

kai

to open; to operate

100

12 棒

bang

fantastic

26

渴

ke

thirsty

103

報 /报

bao

to report; newspaper

27

裡/ 裏/ 里

IT

inside

110

備 /备

bei

to prepare

29 mai

to buy

118

bT

pen; writing brush

買/ 买

筆 /笔

30 stuffy/ d epressed

122

bian

MW (for com plete courses of an action or instances of an

悶/ 闷

m en/

遍

31

action)

men

牌

pai

plate; card; brand

131

場 /场

chang

field

37

跑

pao

to run

133

超

chao

to exceed; to su rp ass

37

期

q了

period (of time)

136

程

cheng

journey; schedule

39

然

ran

like that; so

141

窗

chuang

window

42

勝/

sheng

victory; wonderful

149

詞 /词

cf

word

43

試/ 试

shi

test; to try

153

單/单

dan

single

46

舒

shu

to stretch; to sm ooth out

156

登

deng

to climb; to ascend

49

暑

shu

heat; sum m er

156

等

deng

to wait; rank

50

訴/ 诉

su

to tell; to relate

161

短

duan

short

55

湯/ 汤

tang

soup

164

發/发

fa

to emit; to issue

57

提

tf

to lift

167

飯 /饭

fan

meal; (cooked) rice

59

晚

wan

evening; late

173

費/费

fei

to spend; to take (effort)

61

喂

wei/wei

Hello!; Hey!

176

復 /复

fu

to duplicate

64

喜

xT

to like; happy

181

傅

fu

tutor; instructor

64

爺/ 爷

ye

grandpa; (respectful form of

195

胜

ad d re ss for elderly men) 港

gang

harbor

66

給 /给

gei

to give

68

貴 /贵

gul

honorable; expensive

74

寒

han

cold

76

喝

he

to drink

78

黑

hei

black

79

滑

hua

slippery; to slide

81

換 /换

huan

to exchange; to change

83

極/极

ji

extremely; pole

86

幾 /几

JT

how many; a few

87

傢

jia

furniture

89

258

叶

ye

leaf

196

椅

yT

chair

199

飲/ 饮

yTn

to drink

200

游

you

to swim

203

遊/ 游

you

to roam; to travel

203

寓

yu

residence

205

越

yue

to exceed

209

運/运

yun

to move

209

週/ 周

zhou

week; cycle

220

準/ 准

zhun

standard; criterion

222

最

ZUI

m ost

224

葉/

The W ay o f C hinese Characters

13

新

xln

new

188

愛/ 爱

ai

love; to love

22

業 /业

ye

profession

197

搬

ban

to move

24

意

yi

meaning

199

楚

chu

clear; neat

41

預/预

yu

in advance; beforehand

206

當/ 当

dang

to serve as; to be

47

園/ 园

yuan

garden

207

道

dao

road; way

48

圓/圆

yuan

round

207

電/ 电

dian

electricity

52

遠 /远

yuan

far

207

煩/ 烦

fan

to bother; to trouble

58

照

zhao

photograph; to shine

213

該/ 该

gai

should; ought to

64

感

gan

to feel; to sense

65

跟

gen

with; and

69

過/ 过

guo

to pass

75

號/ 号

hao

number

77

話/ 话

hua

speech

82

會/ 会

hul

meeting

84

塊/ 块

kuai

piece; dollar

106

際/ 际

j