凯

凱

kǎi

几 + 岂

Definitions

kǎi (adjective) triumphant; victorious

Kǎi (noun) chi (Greek letter Χχ)

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 岂 represents the meaning and 几 represents the sound. Simplified form of 凱.

About

凯 is the simplified form of 凱, a phonosemantic compound. The left side, 岂 (simplified from 豈), carries the meaning: it originally depicted the triumphant music and martial drumming that accompanied a victorious army's return. The right side, 几, a pictograph of a small table, serves as the phonetic indicator. The character thus denoted celebratory victory music, later broadening to triumph, overcoming adversaries, and general success. It frequently appears in compound words like 凯旋 (triumphant return) and 凯歌 (song of victory).

Etymology Hide

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我们为凯旋的英雄欢呼。

Wǒmen wèi kǎixuán de yīngxióng huānhū.

We cheer for the triumphant heroes.

凯文的哥哥是一名医生。

Kǎiwén de gēge shì yī míng yīshēng.

Kevin's older brother is a doctor.

胜利的凯歌响彻了云霄。

Shènglì de kǎigē xiǎngchè le yúnxiāo.

The song of victory resounded through the skies.

他们奏凯而归，万众欢腾。

Tāmen zòukǎi ér guī, wànzhòng huānténg.

They returned victorious, to the jubilation of all.

温暖的凯风轻抚着我们的脸庞。

Wēnnuǎn de kǎifēng qīngfǔ zhe wǒmen de liǎnpáng.

The warm southern breeze gently caressed our faces.

这位将军的名字常与凯字相连。

Zhè wèi jiāngjūn de míngzì cháng yǔ kǎi zì xiānglián.

This general's name is often associated with the character for victory.

在古典文献中，凯风特指南风。

Zài gǔdiǎn wénxiàn zhōng, kǎifēng tè zhǐ nánfēng.

In classical texts, 'kaifeng' specifically refers to the south wind.

他的人生目标并非世俗意义上的凯旋。

Tā de rénshēng mùbiāo bìng fēi shìsú yìyì shàng de kǎixuán.

His life goal is not a triumphant return in the世俗 sense.

Related Characters

Component: 几

Component: 岂

凯