借

藉

jiè

亻 + 昔

HSK 2.0Level 3

HSK 3.0Level 3

Definitions

jiè (verb) to borrow; to lend

jiè (preposition) by means of; to use as pretext

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 亻 represents the meaning and 昔 represents the sound.

Semantic: 亻 Phonetic: 昔

About

借 is a phono-semantic compound: the 亻 radical (a reduced form of 人 'person') on the left signals an action involving people, while 昔 on the right gives the sound. Its core meaning is the temporary transfer of possession, both borrowing and lending. From this literal sense, the character has also taken on figurative meanings, such as taking advantage of an opportunity, making use of a situation, or using something as a pretext.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我想借一本书。

Wǒ xiǎng jiè yī běn shū.

I want to borrow a book.

他借了我五块钱。

Tā jiè le wǒ wǔ kuài qián.

He borrowed five dollars from me.

你可以借我笔吗？

Nǐ kěyǐ jiè wǒ bǐ ma?

Can you lend me a pen?

我向图书馆借书。

Wǒ xiàng túshūguǎn jiè shū.

I borrow books from the library.

借钱需要还利息。

Jiè qián xūyào huán lìxī.

Borrowing money requires paying interest.

他借口有事离开了。

Tā jièkǒu yǒu shì líkāi le.

He made an excuse and left.

借助工具可以省力。

Jièzhù gōngjù kěyǐ shěng lì.

Using tools can save effort.

我们借这个机会庆祝一下。

Wǒmen jiè zhège jīhuì qìngzhù yīxià.

We take this opportunity to celebrate.

Related Characters

Component: 亻

Component: 昔

借