Definitions
(noun)
pitch pipe; musical note
Etymology
Depicts two metal plates.
About
The character "吕" originated as a pictograph representing spinal vertebrae, conveyed through two connected segments, and its structure consists of two "口" components stacked vertically, which in this context symbolize bone sections rather than denoting the mouth. Over time, its meaning shifted from an anatomical reference to one of the twelve standard musical pitches in ancient China, likely due to the visual similarity between vertebrae and the jointed bamboo tubes used as pitch pipes. This association with pitch eventually led to the character's adoption as a common surname, which became its predominant modern usage, while its original sense diminished. The traditional form "呂" retains the same dual "口" composition, often with a subtle connecting stroke in certain stylistic renditions, reflecting its consistent graphical basis.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
吕先生是老师。
吕阿姨今天来了。
我喜欢看吕剧。
吕宋岛很美丽。
吕教授教我们数学。
这位吕医生医术高明。
吕工程师的设计很创新。
我们公司聘请了吕顾问。