Definitions

guì to amputate; to cut off; also pr. [kuài]

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Simplified form of .

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character is a phonosemantic compound, combining the knife radical on the right with the phonetic component on the left. It is the simplified form of , where the left side was simplified to while the right-side radical remained unchanged. The radical indicates a meaning related to cutting, while supplies the pronunciation. The character originally denoted cutting or severing, specifically in the context of execution, such as beheading or amputation. Today, it is used almost exclusively in the compound 刽子手, meaning 'executioner'.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

子手在古代是一种职业。

Guìzishǒu zài gǔdài shì yī zhǒng zhíyè.

The executioner was a profession in ancient times.

那个子手在执行任务时面无表情。

Nàge guìzishǒu zài zhíxíng rènwù shí miàn wú biǎoqíng.

That executioner showed no expression while carrying out his duty.

残忍的子手最终受到了法律的审判。

Cánrěn de guìzishǒu zuìzhōng shòudàole fǎlǜ de shěnpàn.

The cruel executioner was finally tried by law.

在故事里,子手的刀总是闪着寒光。

Zài gùshì lǐ, guìzishǒu de dāo zǒng shì shǎnzhe hánguāng.

In the story, the executioner's blade always glints coldly.

这位演员将子手的复杂心理演绎得很出色。

Zhè wèi yǎnyuán jiāng guìzishǒu de fùzá xīnlǐ yǎnyì dé hěn chūsè.

This actor portrayed the executioner's complex psychology excellently.

民众对那个暴君的子手充满了恐惧与憎恨。

Mínzhòng duì nàge bàojūn de guìzishǒu chōngmǎnle kǒngjù yǔ zēnghèn.

The people were filled with fear and hatred for that tyrant's executioner.

历史记载中,有些子手其实也是被迫从事这一行。

Lìshǐ jìzǎi zhōng, yǒuxiē guìzishǒu qíshí yěshì bèipò cóngshì zhè yī háng.

Historical records show that some executioners were actually forced into this line of work.

小说深刻揭露了战争如何把普通人变成冷酷的子手。

Xiǎoshuō shēnkè jiēlùle zhànzhēng rúhé bǎ pǔtōng rén biàn chéng lěngkù de guìzishǒu.

The novel profoundly reveals how war turns ordinary people into cold-blooded executioners.