Definitions

kūn (noun) earth; female principle

Etymology

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

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

Operating as a phono-semantic compound, 坤 pairs the left-side semantic earth radical 土 (denoting soil or ground) with the right-side phonetic component 申. It is one of the eight fundamental trigrams in traditional Chinese cosmology, representing the earth, the female principle, yielding nature, and receptivity within the Yin-Yang dualistic system. Symbolizing the earthly realm in contrast to the heavenly realm represented by Qian (乾), its semantic range encompasses femininity, maternal attributes, and the physical ground. The character is used extensively in classical texts and philosophical discourse to articulate the passive, nurturing, and grounding forces within the natural universe.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 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)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Wu (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

喜欢打篮球。

Wáng Kūn xǐhuān dǎ lánqiú.

Wang Kun likes playing basketball.

在图书馆看书。

Lǐ Kūn zài túshūguǎn kànshū.

Li Kun is reading in the library.

她的包很时尚。

Tā de kūn bāo hěn shíshàng.

Her women's bag is very fashionable.

代表天地。

Qiánkūn dàibiǎo tiāndì.

Qiankun represents heaven and earth.

和李是同学。

Zhāng Kūn hé Lǐ Kūn shì tóngxué.

Zhang Kun and Li Kun are classmates.

在易经中,是地的象征。

Zài Yìjīng zhōng, kūn shì dì de xiàngzhēng.

In the I Ching, kun is the symbol of earth.

宁宫位于故宫的中轴线上。

Kūnníng Gōng wèiyú Gùgōng de zhōngzhóuxiàn shàng.

Kunning Palace is located on the central axis of the Forbidden City.

理解乾的概念有助于掌握传统文化。

Lǐjiě qiánkūn de gàiniàn yǒu zhù yú zhǎngwò chuántǒng wénhuà.

Understanding the concept of qiankun helps in mastering traditional culture.