匙

chí, shi

匕 + 是

Definitions

chí (noun) spoon

shi (noun) key

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 匕 represents the meaning and 是 represents the sound.

Semantic: 匕 Phonetic: 是

About

匙 is a phono-semantic compound combining the meaning component 匕 (bǐ, "spoon") and the phonetic component 是 (shì). The spoon radical points to a utensil for scooping liquids or loose solids, and the character primarily denotes a small spoon used for eating soup, stirring drinks, or measuring ingredients. This sense later extended to "key", since early Chinese keys were shaped like long-handled spoons and shared a similar scooping or inserting motion. Both the spoon and key meanings remain common.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

钥匙在桌子上。

Yàoshi zài zhuōzi shàng.

The key is on the table.

他用汤匙喝汤。

Tā yòng tāngchí hē tāng.

He uses a spoon to drink soup.

请给我一把茶匙。

Qǐng gěi wǒ yī bǎ cháchí.

Please give me a teaspoon.

这把钥匙开不了门。

Zhè bǎ yàoshi kāi bù liǎo mén.

This key cannot open the door.

妈妈用匙子搅拌咖啡。

Māma yòng chízi jiǎobàn kāfēi.

Mom stirs coffee with a spoon.

我忘记带办公室的钥匙了。

Wǒ wàngjì dài bàngōngshì de yàoshi le.

I forgot to bring the office key.

汤匙和筷子是常用的餐具。

Tāngchí hé kuàizi shì chángyòng de cānjù.

Spoons and chopsticks are commonly used utensils.

如果你找不到钥匙，可以用备用钥匙。

Rúguǒ nǐ zhǎo bù dào yàoshi, kěyǐ yòng bèiyòng yàoshi.

If you can't find the key, you can use the spare key.

Related Characters

Component: 匕

Component: 是

匙