Hanzi 1 Flashcards
的
的 ¹de* {A} s.p.
①(of subordination) | wọ̌ mǎi ∼ shū 我买∼书 the book I bought
②(noun-forming, like English -er) | kānmén ∼ 看门∼ doorkeeper ◆cons. (shì) A ∼ action emphasizing A | Wǒ shì zuótiān mǎi ∼. 我是昨天买∼。 It was yesterday that I bought it. | Wọ̌ xiǎng (shì) bụ̀ huì xiàyǔ ∼. 我想(是)不会下雨∼。 I think it’s unlikely to rain. ◆cons.
①〈coll.〉 by | Zhè jiān wūzi shì wụ̌ mǐ ∼ liù mǐ, hé sānshí píngfāng mǐ. 这间屋子是五米∼六米, 合三十平方米。 This room is 5 x 6 meters, or 30 square meters.
②〈topo.〉 plus | Wǔ ge ∼ liù ge, yị̄gòng shíyī ge. 五个∼六个, 一共十一个。 Five plus six is eleven.
的 is the most commonly used Chinese character. It has three pronunciations: de, dì, and dí. 的 de is a grammatical particle. 的 dì means ‘bull’s-eye’ or ‘target’. 的 is pronounced dí only in the word 的确 díquè ‘precise’.
In ancient times 的 meant 'white'. Therefore 白 bái 'white' is a component in 的 (white: bright: clear: precise: bull's-eye). 勺 sháo ('spoon') is phonetic: ancient 勺 *tsiak (modern sháo) sounded like ancient 的 *tiek (modern dì).
一
一 [yī] one; 一定 certain; 一样 same; 一些 some
一 ¹yī* {A} num.
①one; 1
②once | kě ∼ bùkě èr. 可∼不可二。 Once is forgivable, not twice.
◆b.f. ①each; per | ∼ zhuō bā rén ∼桌八人 eight people per table
②whole; all; throughout | Wǒ ∼ tiān dōu bụ̀ zài jiā. 我∼天都不在家。 I won’t be at home all day.
③single; alone
④same | yìjian bù ∼ 意见不∼ opinions differ
◆adv. ①as soon as | tiānqì ∼ lěng 天气∼冷 as soon as the weather turns cold
②a little | kàn∼kàn 看∼看 take a look
③“empty” adverb in four-syllable expressions | wèizhī∼zhèn 为之∼振 be buoyed up by it
④also; otherwise | ∼ míng ∼名 be also known as
◆cons. ① {A} ∼ A jiù B as soon as A (then) B
② ∼ A èr B ⓐvery AB, where AB is a two-syllable s.v. | ∼ qīng èr jìng ∼清二静 absolutely quiet ⓑone or two AB, where AB is a noun | ∼ chà èr cuò ∼差二错 one or two mistakes
③ ∼ A bàn A/B a little of A and of A or B, where A and B are identical or similar in meaning | Zhège gōngchéng kě bụ̀ shì ∼ tiān bàn tiān néng wán de. 这个工程可不是∼天半天能完的。 This project can’t be finished in a short time.
④ ∼ V1 ér V2 V2 immediately after V1 | ∼nù’érqù ∼怒而去 flare up and leave
⑤ ∼ N (yě) bù/méi V not V even one N; without omitting a single N | ∼zìbụ̀lòu ∼字不漏 without omitting a single character
⑥ V ∼ VM V a VM | yǎo ∼ kǒu 咬∼口 take a bite
⑦ ∼ V1 bù V2 inalterably V1 | ∼ qù bù fǎn ∼去不返 gone never to return
⑧ ∼ N1 ∼ N2 ⓐall or the whole of N1/N2 | ∼shēng∼shì ∼生∼世 all one’s life ⓑeach/every N1/N2 | ∼yán∼xíng ∼言∼行 every word and deed
⑨ ∼ V1 ∼ V2 ⓐdo V1/V2 in succession (where V1/V2 are similar in meaning) | ∼bèng∼tiào ∼蹦∼跳 skip and jump ⓑdo V1/V2 alternately (where V1/V2 contrast in meaning) | ∼wèn∼dá ∼问∼答 one asks and the other answers ⑩ ∼ A ∼ B one A, one B (where A/B are opposite in meaning) | ∼ dōng ∼ xī ∼东∼西 one east, one west ∼ V ²zài V keep on doing V | ∼cuòzàicuò ∼错再错 keep on making mistakes ◆n. a note of the scale in gōngchěpǔ
A single horizontal stroke, symbolizing the number 1. The tone (yī, yí, or yì) depends on the following syllable. By itself, or at the end of a phrase, 一 is pronounced yī (first tone). Before a fourth tone syllable, 一 is pronounced yí (second tone, as in 一定 yídìng). Before any other syllable, 一 is pronounced yì (fourth tone, as in 一些 yìxiē). Usually these tone changes are not indicated in pinyin, and the syllable is written with the first tone: yī. Thus, the dictionary has yīdìng and yīxiē, but these should be pronounced yídìng and yìxiē.
一 yī is the first of the 214 radicals.
As a stroke type, a horizontal stroke 一 is called héng (横).
是
是 [shì] to be [tí]
是 ¹shì* {A} v. ①be ②〈wr.〉 praise; justify ◆b.f. matter; affair | guó∼ 国∼ national affairs
◆pr. this; all
◆s.v. right; true
◆adv. certainly; for sure | Tiānqì ∼ rè. 天气∼热。 It sure is hot.
◆cons. A ∼ A it’s A all right, but … | Hǎo ∼ hǎo, kěshì wǒ bù xǐhuan. 好∼好, 可是我不喜欢。 It’s good all right, but I don’t like it.
The top is 日 rì ‘sun’. The bottom
不
不 [bù] not [bú] [fǒu] [fōu] [fū]
不 ¹bù* {A} adv. ①not ②no
◆cons. ① ∼ A ∼ B (where A B are paired synonyms) not A B | ∼huāng∼máng ∼慌∼忙 unhurried
② ∼ A ∼ B (where A B are antonymous stative verbs) neither A nor B | ∼̣dà∼xiǎo ∼大∼小 neither (too) big nor (too) small
③ ∼ A ∼ B (where A B are antonymous verbs) no B without A | ∼̣pò∼̣lì ∼破∼立 no constructing without destroying
④ ∼ A ér B do B without doing A | ∼̣zhàn’érshèng ∼战而胜 win without fighting ⑤ A ∼ A (the matter/question of) A or not A | bóshì ∼ bóshì, wǒ wúsuǒwèi. 博士∼博士, 我无所谓。 Whether or not I get a PhD makes no difference to me.
⑥ V1 ∼ V1V2 (variant form of V1V2 ∼ V1V2, where V1V2 is a compound verb) whether or not V1V2 | kě ∼ kěnéng? 可∼可能? Is it possible that …?
◆pref. non-; un-
不 bu inf. (used in r.v.) | tīng∼dǒng 听∼懂 don’t understand (by listening)
“Picture of a flying bird…” –Karlgren.
“A bird that rises, flapping the wings, straight towards 一 the skies; 鸟飞上也。从一天也。象形兼指事。…It is now used [假借] jiǎjiè, as an adverb of negation; 为非。为无。” –Wieger.
The actual pronunciation is bú (rising tone) when the following syllable is falling tone. Thus, 不对 is pronounced búduì. Nevertheless, it is standard to write bù in any case.
了
了 [le] (particle) [liǎo] 了解 comprehend [liào] (=瞭) [liāo] [liáo]
了 ¹le* {A} m.p. (indicating a new situation) | Hǎo ∼. 好∼。 It’s OK now.
◆a.m. (indicating completed action) | Wǒ zhị̌ qǐng∼ yị̄ wèi kèren. 我只请∼一位客人。 I invited only one guest.
了 ¹liǎo* {A} v. end; finish; settle; dispose of | Gǎnkuài bǎ zhè jiàn shìr ∼ le. 赶快把这件事儿∼了。 Put an end to this matter quickly.
◆b.f. know clearly; understand 了解 liạ̌ojiě*
◆cmp. (used with de and bu to indicate possibility) | chīde∼ 吃得∼ can eat
◆adv. 〈wr.〉 entirely
瞭/了 ³liào {E} b.f. observe; look out over 瞭望 liàowàng 瞭望塔 liàowàngtǎ
了 ³liāo char. 微微了了 wēiwēiliaoliāo
了 ¹³liáo char. 嘹高儿 liáogāor
Said to be 子 (zǐ) ‘child’ without arms; maybe an abstract symbol.
“从子无臂, 指事。…This character, being very easy to write, and of no use, had its primitive meaning changed into different arbitrary ones. It is now used specially to write the suffix liǎo, so frequent in the spoken language. Note the philological definition of the part it plays in that case; 发声之词, 犹言结; emission of a sound, in order to knot, to end a sentence” –Wieger.
人
人 [rén] person; 人类 rénlèi humankind; 有人吗? anybody here?
人 ¹rén* {A} n. person; people
◆b.f. human |
Zhè shì ∼ gàn de ma? 这是∼干的吗? Was this done by a human being?
人口 rénkǒu*
人格 réngé
Picture of a person. Usually considered to represent two legs, the rest of the body being abbreviated. But early forms appear to show the whole body in profile, with one arm and one leg. The character got turned on its side (a common occurrence). As a component, rén is often written 亻 on the left side of characters, as in 他, 们, 你, 仁 , etc.
人 is the ninth of the 214 radicals.
Compare 入 rù and 儿 ér.
在
在 [zài] at; 现在 xiànzài now; 存在 cúnzài exist
在 ¹zài* {A} v.
①be at/in/on | Qǐngwèn, Lǎo Wáng ∼ ma? 请问, 老王∼吗? Excuse me, is Old Wang there/here?
②exist; live | Wǒ bàba yǐjing bụ̀∼ le. 我爸爸已经不∼了。 My father has passed away.
③depend on; rest with
◆adv. (indicating an action in progress) | Zuótiān sì diǎn wǒ ∼ yóuyǒng. 昨天四点我∼游泳。 I was swimming at four yesterday.
◆cov. in; at; on; etc. | Wǒ ∼ Běijīng zhù. 我∼北京住。 I live in Beijing.
◆cons.
① ∼ A (zhī)zhōng in (the midst/process of) A
② ∼ A kàn(lai) as A sees it; in A’s opinion | ∼ wǒ kànlai ∼我看来 as I see it.
The meaning is suggested by 土 (tǔ) ‘land’: location. The first three strokes are a slight distortion of 才 cái phonetic. Compare 存 cún ‘exist’.
我
我 [wǒ] I, me; 我们 wǒmen we
Picture of a kind of weapon, compare 戈 gē. In the oracle bone writing, the character had already been borrowed for the first person pronoun ‘I’, for unknown reasons (possibly a phonetic loan).
有
有 [yǒu] have; there is; 没有 haven’t; 有的 some [yòu] (=又) [wěi]
有 ¹yǒu* {A} v.
①have; possess
②be; exist
◆cons. ① ∼ A ∼ B both A and B | ∼ shuō ∼ xiào ∼说∼笑 talking and laughing
② ∼ A wú B have A but not B | ∼ zēng wú jiǎn ∼增无减 increase but not decrease
③ ∼ N kě V there is N which (one) can/may V | ∼ fàn kě chī ∼饭可吃 have food to eat
◆pref. (before names of dynasties) 〈wr.〉 | ∼ Xià ∼夏 the Xia dynasty
有 ⁹yòu 〈wr.〉 adv. also
◆cons. A ∼ B round number A and fractional amount B | sìshí ∼ bā nián 四十∼八年 48 years
有 yǒu is composed of
中
中 [zhōng] middle; in; 中国 Zhōngguó China [zhòng] hit (a target)
中 ¹zhōng* {A} b.f./suf.
①center; middle; interior 中心 ¹zhōngxīn*
②China 中国 Zhōngguó
③middle; mid 中央 zhōngyāng*
④medium; intermediate 中等 zhōngděng
⑤mean; halfway between two extremes 中间 ¹zhōngjiān(r)* ⑥neutral 中立 ¹zhōnglì*
⑦〈lg.〉 neutral 中性 zhōngxìng
⑧fit for; good for 中用 zhōngyòng
◆s.v. 〈topo.〉 all right; OK. | Zhèyàng ∼ bu ∼? 这样∼不∼? Is this OK?
中 ³zhòng {C} v.
①hit (a target); attain
②be hit by
③fall into
④pass an exam
◆suf. accurately; on the dot | Nǐ cāi∼ le. 你猜∼了。 You guessed right.
A 口 square with a 丨 line going through the middle of it.
China calls itself 中国 Zhōngguó or “Middle Kingdom”.
这
这(F這) [zhè] [zhèi] this
From 言 yán ‘words’ (reduced to 文 wén in the simple form 这), and 辶(辵 chuò) ‘go’.
Originally used for an obsolete word which meant ‘go to meet’, in which 言 yán was phonetic, then borrowed for the modern word zhè (for unknown reasons, says Karlgren). Compare 那 nà ‘that’. 这 zhè and 那 nà have alternative pronunciations zhèi and nèi, used before a measure word especially in 北京 Běijīng, but it is more standard to stick to the readings zhè and nà all the time.
大
大 [dà] big; 大家 dàjiā everybody [dài] 大夫 dàifu doctor [tài]
大 dà* {A} s.v.
①big; great; high; tall; vast
②much; very
③old | Tā duō ∼? 他多∼? How old is he? ④eldest
⑤adult
◆n. 〈topo.〉 father
◆cons. ① ∼ V tè V big/great/etc. V | ∼ cuò tè cuò ∼错特错 gross error
② ∼ A ∼ B used with two monosyllabic nouns, verbs, or stative verbs related in meaning to indicate high degree | ∼yú-∼ròu bǎile yī̠ mǎn zhuō. ∼鱼∼肉摆了一满桌。 The table was filled with lots of meat and fish.
大 ⁹dài {E} b.f. person of importance 大夫 dàifu*
A person with arms stretched out to mean “big”.
国
国(F國) [guó] (国家) country; 中国 China; 美国 USA
国[國] ¹guó {A} n.
①country; state; nation
②Surname
◆b.f. ①of the state; national 国旗 guóqí*
②of our country; Chinese 国画 guóhuà*
The old character 或 depicted 口 territory defended by 一 a wall and 戈 weapons. Then 或 got surrounded by 囗, representing the borders of a nation, producing the full form 國. (或 was then borrowed for the similar sounding word huò ‘or’.) The simple form 国 dates back to the Sòng dynasty (960-1279); it has 玉 (yù) ‘jade’ in place of 或. There was a variant 囯 with 王 (wáng) ‘king’ in the middle.
上
上 [shàng] over; top; (go) up; last, previous [shǎng] 上声 [shang]
上 ¹shàng* {A} b.f.
①upper; upward 上面 shàngmian(r)
②higher; superior; better 上等 shàngděng*
③first (part); preceding; previous 上半夜 shàngbànyè(r)
④up to (preceding numbers) | ∼ yī̠bǎi rén ∼一百人 up to a hundred people
⑤emperor 皇上 huángshang
⑥posterior
◆v. ①go up; mount; board; get on
②go to; leave for
③submit; send in; present
④forge/go ahead
⑤appear on the stage; enter
⑥place sth. in position; set; fix; apply
⑦be put on record; be carried (in a publication)
⑧wind; screw; tighten
◆cmp. able/unable | Wǒmen gǎnde∼ fēijī ma? 我们赶得∼飞机吗? Can we make the plane?
◆cons. (zài) A ∼ as far as A is concerned; in the field of A
◆n. 〈mus.〉 no. 1 note in gōngchěpǔ
上 ¹shang {E} suf.
①(after verbs) up | pá∼ 爬∼ climb up | suǒ∼ mén 锁∼门 lock the door; lock up | ài∼ 爱∼ fall in love
②(after nouns) on; in; with regard to; -ically | shū ∼ 书∼ on the book | jīngjì ∼ 经济∼ on economic matters | fāngfǎ ∼ 方法∼ methodologically
上 ³shǎng {E} b.f. 〈lg.〉 ①“rising” tone in trad. Ch. phonology 上声 shǎngshēng
②Mandarin 3rd tone 上声 shǎngshēng
Symbol, opposite of 下 xià ‘under’.
个
个(F個) [gè] [ge] (measure word); 个人 personal [gě] 自个 [gàn]
个[個] ge {E} m. general measure word | dǎ ∼ jié 打∼结 tie a knot
◆cons. (used between verb and complement) | máng ∼ bù tíng 忙∼不停 be nonstop busy | wèn ∼ míngbai 问∼明白 ask for clarification
个[個] ¹gè* {A} pref. individual
◆m. (reading/citation pronunciation for ge)
个[個] ⁴gě char. 各个儿 gègěr 自个 zìgě(r)
Picture of a twig of bamboo, half of 竹 zhú ‘bamboo’.
The full form 個 is 亻(人 rén) ‘person’ plus 固 gù phonetic. A variant form 箇 is 竹 over 固.
The picture on the far left is entitled 三笔个字式, among the examples of bamboo art in 芥子园画谱.
来
来(F來) [lái] come; 起来 get up; 原来 it turns out [lai]
来[來] ¹lái* {A} v.
①come; arrive | Dào zhèbiān(r) ∼. 到这边(儿)∼。 Come over here.
②crop up; take place
③bring
④do (specific meaning depending on context) | Ràng wǒ ∼. 让我∼。 Let me do it. | ∼ diǎnr chī de. ∼点儿吃的。 Bring sth. to eat.
◆suf.
①ability | zuòbu∼ 作不∼ don’t know how to do it
②worthwhile effort/expense | huáde∼ 划得∼ worth the money
③beginning of an action | tíqị̌ bǐ ∼ 提起笔∼ pick up a pen to write
④hypothetical action | xiǎng∼/shuō∼ hǎoxiào 想∼/说∼好笑 funny to think/speak of
⑤-ly (after numerals) | yī∼ 一∼ firstly | èr∼ 二∼ secondly
⑥time (since) | duō nián ∼ 多年∼ for many years
◆b.f. ①future; later 将来 jiānglái 后来 hòulái
②coming 来临 láilín
③since 生来 shēnglái 本来 běnlái ◆adv. over; and more | sānshí ∼ suì 三十∼岁 over 30 years old
◆conj. (in order) to | chàng ge gēr ∼ còu rènao 唱个歌儿∼凑热闹 sing a song to liven things
◆cons. ① V ∼ V qù V back and forth | zǒu∼zǒuqù 走∼走去 walk back and forth
② wǒ(men) ∼ V let me/us V
③ {D} cóng A ∼ jiǎng/kàn/shuō speaking/viewing/speaking from consideration of A | cóng wǒ ∼ shuō, … 从我∼说, … in my view, … See also láizhe
Picture of bearded barley. The character was borrowed for the word lái ‘come’, which happened to have the same pronunciation as the ancient word for bearded barley.
他
他 [tā] he, him; she, her; it; (其他 qítā) other [tuó]
他[-/牠] ¹tā* {A} pr.
①he
②she
③it
④they (referring to inanimate things in object position) | Lí dōu làn le, zuìhǎo bǎ ∼ rēng le. 梨都烂了, 最好把∼扔了。 The pears have all spoiled; better throw them away.
◆b.f. other; another 其他 qítā* 他人 tārén 他处 tāchù*
From 亻(人 rén) ‘person’ and 也 (yě ‘also’). 也 may have been phonetic (the ancient sounds, now tā and yě, were similar). However, ‘he, she, or it’ was once written 它, then 佗, and then 他. So 他 may have been a simplification of 佗.
In spoken Chinese, pronouns have no gender. The single word tā means ‘he, she, or it’. Only in modern times did somebody start writing 她 for tā ‘she’. 它 tā now means ‘it’ exclusively.
为
为(F為) [wèi] for, on account of [wéi] be, become
为[為/爲] ¹wèi* {A} v. 〈wr.〉 stand for; support
◆cov. for; on account of; to | Nǐ zhèyàng zuò ∼ shéi? 你这样做∼谁? For whom are you doing this?
◆cons. ∼ N ér V to V for or on behalf of N | ∼ rénmín ér sǐ ∼人民而死 die for the people
◆b.f. for; because of 为什么 wèishénme 因为 ¹yīnwèi* See also wèicǐ See also ¹wèizhī
为[為/爲] ¹wéi {A} v.
①do; accomplish
②act/serve as
③be; become
④govern
◆cov. by
◆cons. ∼ N suǒ V be V’ed by N | ∼ dí suǒ bài ∼敌所败 be defeated by the enemy
◆suf.
①(added to s.v. to form adv.) | dà∼ kěguì 大∼可贵 very valuable/praiseworthy
②(added to adv. as intensifier) | jí∼ kěpà 极∼可怕 extremely frightening
An elephant and a hand guiding it.
Pronounced wèi when it means ‘on account of’, and in the words 为了 wèile, 为着 wèizhe, 为什么 wèishenme, and 因为 yīnwèi. Otherwise pronounced wéi.
The old form 爲 is still used almost as much as the “full” form 為.
到
到 [dào] to, towards, until
到 ¹dào* {A} v.
①arrive; reach
②go to
◆cov. up until
◆s.v. thoughtful; considerate
◆cmp. completion of verbal action | Nǐ kàn∼ dì-jǐ yè le? 你看∼第几页了? What page have you gotten to?
◆cons. {C} ∼ ... (wéi)zhǐ reach ... as a stopping point; as far as ... | ∼ xiànzài wéizhǐ, wǒmen zhǐ shōudào èrshí piān lùnwén. ∼现在为止, 我们只收到二十篇论文。 Up to now we have received only twenty papers.
The meaning is similar to 至 (zhì) ‘until’. The right side 刂(刀) dāo (‘knife’) is phonetic.
地
地 [dì] earth [de] -ly (adverbial particle)
地 ²de {A} s.p. (adv.-forming, like English -ly) | hěn kuài ∼ 很快∼ very quickly
地 ²dì {A} n.
①the earth
②land; soil
③fields
④ground
◆b.f. ①place 地方 dìfāng*
②position 地位 ¹dìwèi*
③background
④distance | Wǒmen xuéxiào lí zhèr yǒu sān zhàn ∼. 我们学校离这儿有三站∼。 Our school is three bus stops from here.
From 土 (tǔ) ‘earth’ and 也 yě (‘also’) phonetic. The pronunciations have gradually changed so that 地 dì no longer sounds similar to 也 yě.
和
和 [hé] and; with; harmony [huo] 暖和 [hè] [huó] [huò] [hàn] [hú] [hē] [huō]
和 ¹hé* {A} b.f.
①gentle; mild; moderate 温和 wēnhé*
②harmonious; on friendly terms 调和 ¹tiáohé*
◆cov. (together) with
◆n. ①sum
②peace
③〈sport〉 draw; tie | Zhè pán ⁶qí ∼ le. 这盘棋∼了。 This game of chess ended in a draw.
④Japan
⑤Surname ◆v. 〈sport〉 tie ◆conj. and
和 ¹⁰hú {E} v. complete a set in mahjong or playing cards
和 ²huó {E} v. mix with water/etc.; knead
和 ⁷huò {E} v. mix with water; thin ◆m. (for changes of water)
和 ³hè {E} v. ①join in singing ②compose a poem in reply
和 ⁵hē char. 乐乐和和 lèlehēhē
和 ⁷huō char. 傻傻和和 shǎshǎhuōhuō
From 禾 hé (‘grain’) phonetic, and 口 (kǒu) ‘mouth’, signifying singing in harmony, or talking together. 口 can also be taken together with 禾 to mean plenty of 禾 grain to 口 eat, when humans have a harmonious relationship with nature. Compare 合 hé which has a similar meaning.
时
时(F時) [shí] (时间 shíjiān, 时候 shíhou) time; 小时 hour
时[時] ²shí {D} n.
①time (when) | Lái ∼, qǐng gàosu wǒ. 来∼, 请告诉我。 Let me know when you come.
②〈lg.〉 tense
③Surname
◆b.f. ①period; season 时代 ¹shídài*
②hour; o’clock
③opportunity; chance 时机 ¹shíjī
④current; present 时事 ²shíshì
◆adv. now and then; occasionally; from time to time
◆cons. ∼ A ∼ B sometimes A, sometimes B | ∼ yuǎn ∼ jìn ∼远∼近 sometimes far, sometimes near
The full form 時 is 日 (rì) ‘day’ plus 寺 sì (‘temple’) phonetic. In the simple form 时, 寺 is replaced by 寸 (cùn ‘inch’: measurement). Time is measured in 日 days.
Historical trivia: before it became 時, it was 旹, the top being 之 zhī phonetic. 之 was replaced by 寺 sì, producing the full form 時. Since 寺 is 之(土) over 寸, the change really consisted in adding 寸 to 旹. For the simple form 时, 之(土) was discarded while 寸 was retained.
们
们(F們) [men] (pluralizing suffix:) 我们 wǒmen we; 人们 people
们[們] men {A} suf. plural for pronouns and human nouns
From 亻(人 rén) ‘person’ and 门(門) mén phonetic.
年
年 [nián] year; 今(明,去)年 this (next, last) year [nìng]
年 ¹nián* {A} m. year
◆b.f. ①age 年龄 niánlíng
②New Year 年糕 ¹niángāo
③a period in one's life 中年 ¹zhōngnián
④a period in history 末年 mònián
⑤harvest 年成 niáncheng*
◆n. ①age | Tā ∼ jìn liùshí. 他∼近六十。 He's close to 60 years old.
②Surname
From 禾 hé ‘grain’ over 人 rén ‘person’. The primary meaning was ‘harvest’. Later versions of the character had 千 qiān ‘thousand’ at the bottom (notice that 千 was just 人 plus a horizontal stroke).
“The crop…the thousand grains. By extension, a year, the time required for a harvest” –Wieger.
生
生 [shēng] give birth; life
生 ²shēng {B} v. ①give birth to; bear | Nǐ tàitai nǎ tiān ∼? 你太太哪天∼? When is the baby due?
②grow
③get; have; cause to happen
④make (a fire)
⑤exist; live
⑥be born
◆s.v. ①living; alive
②unripe; green
③raw; uncooked
④unprocessed; crude
⑤unfamiliar; strange
⑥stiff; mechanical
◆adv. very; keenly
◆b.f. ①existence; life 生活 shēnghuó*
②livelihood 谋生 móushēng
③pupil; student; scholar 学生 xuésheng*
④〈thea.〉 male character 老生 lǎoshēng
◆suf. used in names of occupations | yī∼ 医∼ doctor
Picture of a growing plant.
生 is the 100th of the 214 radicals.
会
会(F會) [huì] meet; can, able [kuài] 会计 kuàijì accounting [huǐ] 会儿 moment
会[會] ¹huì* {A} v. ①get together; assemble
②meet; see
③understand; grasp | Nǐ ∼ ma? 你∼吗? Do you know how?
④pay/foot a bill
◆aux. ①can; be able to | Wǒ huì yòng kuàizi. 我会用筷子。 I can use chopsticks.
②be good at; be skillful in
③be likely/sure to | Tā ∼ lái de. 他∼来的。 He will come.
◆n. ①meeting; gathering; party; get-together; conference
②association; society; union
③temple fair
④mutual loan club
◆b.f. ①chief city; capital 省会 shěnghuì*
②opportunity; occasion 机会 ¹jīhuì*
③〈coll.〉 a while; a little while 一会 yị̄huì(r)
会[會] ³huǐ {E} b.f. moment; brief period of time 会儿 huǐr* 一会 yīhuǐ(r) 等会儿 děnghuǐr
会[會] ⁴kuài {E} b.f. accounts 会计 kuàijì 财会 cáikuài
The simple form 会 is
出
出 [chū] go out, emit; 出现 chūxiàn appear, emerge
出 ¹chū* {A} v. ①go/come out; exit
②exceed; go beyond
③issue; put out; post
④produce; turn out
⑤arise; happen
⑥put forth; vent
⑦rise well (in cooking)
⑧pay out; expend
出[-/齣] ²chū {E} m. (for dramatic pieces)
Originally a 止 (zhǐ) foot coming out of an 凵 enclosure. Now it looks like 山 (shān) ‘mountain’ doubled.
就
就 [jiù] just, simply, right away
就 ¹jiù* {A} v. ①move towards
②undertake; engage in
③accomplish; make
④accommodate oneself to; suit
⑤go with
◆cov. with regard to; concerning | ∼ A lái shuō ∼A 来说 with regard to A | ∼ A ér yán ∼A 而言 with regard to A
◆adv. ①then
②at once; right away | Wǒ ∼ lái. 我∼来。 I'm coming.
③exactly; precisely
④only; merely; just | ∼ zhème yī̠diǎnr a? ∼这么一点儿啊? So little?
◆conj. even if
From 京 (jīng) ‘capital’ and 尤 yóu phonetic.
子
子 [zǐ] child [zi] (noun suffix:) 桌子 zhuōzi table
子 ¹zǐ {C} n. ①〈hist.〉 master (title of respect)
②first of the 12 Earthly Branches
③viscount
◆b.f. ①son; child; offspring 父子 ¹fùzǐ* 子女 zị̌nǚ
②person 男子 nánzǐ* 女子 nụ̈̌zǐ
③seed 子儿 zǐr*
④〈topo.〉 egg 鸡子儿 jīzǐr
⑤copper coin; copper
⑥cartridge 子弹 zǐdàn
⑦female dragonfly
⑧sth. small and hard 棋子 qízǐ(r)
⑨pellet
⑩constituent
⑪young; tender; small
◆m. (for bundles/hanks/etc.)
◆pr. 〈wr.〉 you
子 zi {E} suf. ①(plain noun suffix) | zhuō∼ 桌∼ table
②(nominalizing suffix) | jiǎn∼ 剪∼ scissors
Baby’s head, arms and torso. Legs invisible in swaddling clothes.
子 is the 39th of the 214 radicals.
As a noun suffix, 子 zi generally has the neutral tone, for example in the word 屋子 wūzi ‘room’.
要
要 [yào] want; will [yāo] 要求 yāoqiú demand [yǎo]
要 ¹yào* {A} v./aux. want/wish (to); ask (for)
◆aux. shall; will; be about to
◆b.f. ①must; should; need to 须要 ²xūyào
②important; essential; vital 重要 zhòngyào* 要紧 yàojǐn*
③〈wr.〉 summarize; outline 概要 gàiyào
◆conj. if; suppose; in case
◆cons. gēn A ∼ B ask A for B | gēn tā ∼ qián 跟他∼钱 ask him for money
要 ³yāo {E} b.f. ①demand 要求 yāoqiú*
②coerce 要挟 ¹yāoxié*
Originally meant ‘waist’ (now written 腰 yāo), borrowed for a homophonous word meaning ‘want’. Two hands pointing to a 女 (nǚ) woman’s waist (later they seemed to point to her head). The hands now look similar to 西 xī ‘west’.
也
也 [yě] also; 也许 yěxǔ perhaps [yí]
也 ¹yě* {A} adv.
①also; too; as well; either
②even | Wǒ xiạ̌ng ∼ méi xiǎngdào. 我想∼没想到。 I didn’t even think of it.
③more or less; by and large | Tā de Zhōngwén ∼ hái kẹ̌yǐ. 他的中文∼还可以。 His Chinese is passable.
◆cons. ① (suīrán/jíshǐ) V1 ∼ V2 (even) if V1 nevertheless V2 | Wọ̌ shǎo chī yị̄ dùn ∼ wúsuǒwèi. 我少吃一顿∼无所谓。 I don’t mind skipping a meal. | Jíshǐ tā méi shuō, wọ̌ ∼ zhīdao. 即使他没说, 我∼知道。 Even if she hadn’t mentioned it, I would have known.
② ∼ A ∼ B be both A and B
◆m.p. 〈wr.〉 (used in classical language at the end of a sentence or clause) | Shì kẹ̌ rěn ∼, ³shú bù kẹ̌ rěn ∼. 是可忍∼, 孰不可忍∼。 If this can be tolerated, what cannot? | Rén zhī guò ∼, gè yú qí dǎng. 人之过∼, 各于其党。 People’s faults are characteristic of the classes to which they belong.
According to 说文 Shuōwén (100 A.D.), 也 depicted a woman’s yin (女陰 nǚyīn). Before that, 也 seems to have been the same character as 它 tā ‘it’, which is believed to have depicted a snake (蛇 shé ‘snake’). (The modern sounds yě, tā, and shé may all derive from approximately the same ancient sound *da).
以
以 [yǐ] using; so as to; as well as; 可以 kěyǐ may; 所以 suǒyǐ so [sì]
以 ¹yǐ {B} cov. ①using; taking | ∼ héchéng xiàngjiāo dàitì tiānrán xiàngjiāo ∼合成橡胶代替天然橡胶 use synthetic rubber in place of natural rubber
②because of | ∼ shèngchǎn hóngchá zhùmíng ∼盛产红茶著名 famous for abundantly producing black tea
③in order to; so as to | ∼ yìng jíxū ∼应急需 in order to meet an urgent need
◆suf. (“empty” verb suffix) | jiā∼ 加∼ add | gěi∼ 给∼ give
◆cons. ① ∼ A wéi B take/regard A as B
② ∼ A lái shuō as far as A is concerned
◆b.f. from a point on 以下 yǐxià* 以北 yǐběi
已 also came to be written * yǐ, which is an obsolete synonym of 以. Then * was reduced to 厶, slightly distorted into
说
说(F說) [shuō] say, speak [shuì] try to persuade; 游说
说[說/説] shuō* {A} v.
①speak; talk | Tā zěnme ∼? 他怎么∼? What did he say?
②explain
③scold | Wǒ mā ∼ wǒ le. 我妈∼我了。 My mother scolded me.
④act as matchmaker
⑤refer to; indicate | Nǐ de huà shì ∼ shuí ne? 你的话是∼谁呢? To whom did your remarks refer?
◆b.f. theory; teachings; doctrine 学说 xuéshuō
说[說/説] ³shuì {E} b.f. persuade; win over 说客 ¹shuìkè* 游说 yóushuì*
From 讠(言 yán) ‘words’ and 兑(兌) duì phonetic (compare 税 shuì ‘tax’, 脱 tuō ‘take off’, etc.). 兑 represents 丷 cries of joy coming out of a 儿 person’s 口 mouth, so it also indicates the meaning ‘speak’.
(Note: Unicode has three forms: 说說説.)
学
学(F學) [xué] study, learn; 学校 school; 学生 student
学[學] ¹xué* {A} v.
①study; learn | ∼ wénhuà ∼文化 learn to read and write
②imitate; mimic
◆b.f. ①learning; knowledge 学问 xuéwen
②subject of study; branch of learning 学科 xuékē
③school; college 学校 xuéxiào 大学 dàxué*
◆suf. -ics; -ism; -ization; -logy; study 数学 ¹shùxué* 社会学 shèhuìxué
The top
得
得 [de] (grammatical) [dé] get, reach, achieve [děi] should
得 ³de {A} inf. (used in r.v.) | kàn∼jiàn 看∼见 able to see ◆s.p. (used to link a verb and the manner clause that follows it) | shuō ∼ kuài 说∼快 speak quickly | dà ∼ nábudòng 大∼拿不动 so big that it can’t be moved ◆cmp. (potential complement) | Tā hǎo le, xiànzài chī∼ le. 他好了, 现在吃∼了。 He’s well again and can eat now.
得 děi {A} aux. must ◆v. 〈coll.〉 ①need | Wọ̌ ∼̣ zǒu le. 我∼走了。 I must go. ②should be
得 ¹dé {A} v. ①get ②result in ③be fit/proper ④be satisfied ⑤be finished | ∼le, bié shuō le. ∼了, 别说了。 OK! OK! That’s enough.
Originally 貝 (bèi) ‘shell, money’ over 寸 (cùn) ‘hand’: to get your hand on some money.
貝 has become reduced to 旦 (dàn) in the modern form, and 彳 (chì) ‘footstep’ has been added, meaning that you have to reach the 貝 money before you can 寸 get it (彳 footstep also means ‘conduct’; compare 德 dé ‘virtue’).
得 děi ‘must, should’ is an extension of the meanings ‘get’ and ‘achieve’, where getting money is regarded as a necessity or an obligation.
对
对(F對) [duì] correct; yes; mutual; pair; 对不起 excuse me
对[對] ¹duì* {A} v. ①answer; reply
②treat
③be trained on
④suit; agree
⑤compare; check
⑥set; adjust | Dàjiā ∼ yị̄xià biǎo. 大家∼一下表。 Let's set our watches.
⑦mix; add
⑧divide into halves
◆b.f. ①mutual 相对 xiāngduì
②opposite 对方 duìfāng*
◆s.v. right; correct
◆m. (for pairs/couples)
◆cov. by
◆n. couplet
◆cons. ① ∼ ... ér yán said in terms of ...
② {C} ∼ ... lái shuō as regards ...
The right side is 寸 (cùn) ‘hand’. In the full form 對, the left side is 丵 over 一 (or 业 over 丷 over 王). The significance of this left side component, related to 業(业 yè), is obscure. It has been abbreviated to 又 in the simple form 对.
下
下 [xià] under; (go) down; next (as opposed to previous/last)
下 ¹xià* {A} v.
①go downward; descend; alight | ∼ shān ∼山 descend a mountain
②fall (of rain/etc.)
③go to | ∼ guǎnzi ∼馆子 go eat in a restaurant
④exit; leave | ∼ yèbān ∼夜班 come off night duty
⑤issue; deliver | ∼ dìngyì ∼定义 give a definition
⑥put sth. into
⑦take away/off
⑧form (an opinion/etc.) | ∼ jiélùn ∼结论 draw a conclusion
⑨apply; begin to use | ∼ lìqi ∼力气 make an effort
⑩give birth to; lay (of birds/etc.) | ∼dàn ∼蛋 lay eggs
⑪capture
⑫be less/lower than (used with negative) | bụ̀ ∼ yī̠bǎi tiān 不∼一百天 no less than 100 days
⑬give in
⑭cook in boiling water | Shuǐ kāi le, kuài ∼ miàn ba. 水开了, 快∼面吧。 The water’s boiling, add the noodles.
⑮be (good as) a chaser/accompaniment | Nǐ kẹ̌yǐ yòng huāshēngmǐ ∼jiǔ. 你可以用花生米∼酒。 You can accompany the wine with peanuts.
◆b.f. ①below; under; underneath 下面 xiàmiàn 底下 dǐxia*
②lower; inferior 下等 xiàděng
③next; latter; second 下星期 xiàxīngqī
◆adv. downward; down
◆r.v./suf. able/unable to v. down | Wǒ chību∼ nàme duō. 我吃不∼那么多。 I can’t eat that much.
◆v.m. (for frequency of occurrences) | dǎle liǎng ∼ mén 打了两∼门 knocked twice on the door
A symbol, the opposite of 上 shàng ‘over’.
那
那 [nà] [nèi] that [nuó] 禅那 [nuò] 无那 [nǎ] (=哪) [něi] (=哪) [né] [nā]
那 ¹nà* {A} pr. that
◆conj. then; in that case | ∼ wǒmen jiù bùnéng qù le. ∼我们就不能去了。 In that case we just can’t go.
哪/那 nǎ {A} pr. which; what; how
那 ²nèi {E} 〈coll.〉 pr. that
那 ⁴nuó char. 檀那 tánnuó 禅那 chánnuó
那 ⁶nuò char. 无那 wúnuò
From 冉 (rǎn) ‘fur’ and 阝(邑 yì) ‘city’. 那 Nà was once the name of a city. The character 那 was borrowed (as a phonetic loan) for the word nà ‘that’.
可
可 [kě] (可以 kěyǐ) can; (可是 kěshì) but; 可能 kěnéng maybe [kè] [gē]
可 ¹kě {B} v.
①can; may
②need
③be worth; be worthy of
④approve
⑤fit; suit
⑥be estimated at
◆conj. but; yet
◆pref. able
◆adv. ①in contrast to before | Zhè huí nǐ ∼ cāizhòng le. 这回你∼猜中了。 This time you’ve guessed right.
②actually; on the contrary | Wǒ ∼ méi qù. 我∼没去。 Actually, I didn’t go. | Zhè ∼ bụ̀ shi nàozhe wánr de. 这∼不是闹着玩儿的。 This is no joke.
③〈coll.〉 all; entire; full; throughout | ∼ yī̠ jiē ∼一街 the entire street
◆cons. ∼ A ∼ B sometimes A, sometimes B; either A or B (where AB forms an antithetical expression) | ∼̣ zuǒ ∼ yòu ∼左∼右 either left or right
可 ¹⁰kè char. 可汗 kèhán
From 口 (kǒu) ‘mouth’ and 丂 (qiǎo) ‘exclamation’: approve: okay.
过
过(F過) [guò] pass, go by, exceed; 过马路 cross the street
过[過] guò* {A} v. ①pass; cross | ∼ mǎlù yào dāngxīn. ∼马路要当心。 Be careful when crossing the street.
②transfer (e.g., ownership)
③undergo a process; go through
④surpass; exceed
⑤celebrate; observe | ∼nián ∼年 celebrate new year
◆cmp. V bu/de∼ can’t/can V | dǎbu/deguò tā 打不/得过他 can’t/can beat him
◆n. fault; mistake | Zhè shì nǐ de ∼. 这是你的∼。 This is your fault.
◆adv. too; excessively
◆cov. after | ∼ jǐ tiān ∼几天 after a few days
◆b.f. excessive; undue; overly 过重 guòzhòng*
过[過] guo {E} a.m. (indicating) ①(completion of an action)
②(that an action has taken place, but does not continue up to the present)
From 咼 guō phonetic (simplified to 寸 cùn ‘inch’), and 辶(辵 chuò) ‘go’.
