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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.
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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”
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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