About
The character "丈" derives from an early pictographic concept representing measurement, with its structure originally depicting a hand holding a rod or tool used for gauging length, which led to its primary definition as a unit of measure equivalent to ten Chinese feet. This foundational sense of a standard for spatial dimension gradually extended into more abstract applications, such as in the compound "丈夫", which originally denoted a man of substantial height or stature and later specialized to mean "husband", conveying connotations of respect and maturity. Similarly, its use in "丈人" shifted from a general term for an elder to specifically mean "father-in-law", illustrating how the character's semantic range evolved from concrete measurement to interpersonal honorifics. While its graphical form has maintained a consistent composition over time, the inherent idea of measured extension remains embedded in its etymology.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
丈夫在做饭。
我的丈夫是医生。
我去看望丈人。
工人正在丈量土地。
方丈在寺庙里修行。
这条绳子长三丈。
丈量工作必须精确。
那位方丈的教诲深入人心。