About
借 is a phono-semantic compound with the human radical 亻 on the left, indicating a concept involving people, and the phonetic component 昔 on the right. Its core meaning is the temporary transfer of possession, covering both borrowing from and lending to others. This sense extends metaphorically to abstract uses, such as taking an opportunity, leveraging a situation, or using something as a pretext.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我想借一本书。
他借了我五块钱。
你可以借我笔吗？
我向图书馆借书。
借钱需要还利息。
他借口有事离开了。
借助工具可以省力。
我们借这个机会庆祝一下。