克

剋/尅

kè

儿 + 古

HSK 2.0Level 5

HSK 3.0Level 4

Definitions

kè (verb) to subdue; to overcome; to restrain

kè (noun) gram (unit of weight)

Etymology

Pictograph of a person (人) carrying a heavy weight on their back.

About

The character 克 originated as a pictograph of a person carrying a heavy weight on their back, conveying the capacity to bear burdens and accomplish demanding tasks. Its modern form is written with 十 (shí) above 兄 (xiōng, elder brother). From this core notion of ability, it developed meanings of overcoming, subduing, conquering, and exercising self-restraint. Today, 克 is also widely used as a phonetic loan representing the gram, a metric unit of mass.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Spring and Autumn (~700 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Warring States (~400 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Mid Warring States (~300 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Cao Wei (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

巧克力很好吃。

Qiǎo kè lì hěn hǎo chī.

Chocolate is very delicious.

我们必须克服这个困难。

Wǒ men bì xū kè fú zhè ge kùn nán.

We must overcome this difficulty.

他每天都克制自己不吃零食。

Tā měi tiān dōu kè zhì zì jǐ bù chī líng shí.

He restrains himself from eating snacks every day.

这种药的剂量是五克。

Zhè zhǒng yào de jì liàng shì wǔ kè.

The dosage of this medicine is five grams.

哥哥在攻克一个技术难题。

Gē ge zài gōng kè yī gè jì shù nán tí.

My older brother is tackling a technical problem.

他们成功克隆了一只羊。

Tā men chéng gōng kè lóng le yì zhī yáng.

They successfully cloned a sheep.

这位领导以克己奉公著称。

Zhè wèi lǐng dǎo yǐ kè jǐ fèng gōng zhù chēng.

This leader is known for his self-restraint and devotion to public duty.

他的理论框架克服了传统范式的局限性。

Tā de lǐ lùn kuàng jià kè fú le chuán tǒng fàn shì de jú xiàn xìng.

His theoretical framework overcomes the limitations of the traditional paradigm.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 儿

Component: 古

Example Words