坷

kē, kě

可 + 土

Definitions

kě (adjective) uneven; rough (of ground or path)

kě (adjective) unfortunate; unlucky (in life)

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 土 represents the meaning and 可 represents the sound.

Semantic: 土 Phonetic: 可

About

The character 坷 is a phono-semantic compound, combining the earth radical 土 on the left with the sound component 可 on the right. 土 signals the meaning 'earth' or 'terrain', while 可 gives the pronunciation. It is used almost exclusively to describe an uneven, bumpy road or surface, often one strewn with clods. This image of rough ground is frequently extended metaphorically to a life of hardship, obstacles, and frustrations.

Etymology Hide

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这条路很坎坷。

Zhè tiáo lù hěn kǎnkě.

This road is very bumpy.

他经历了无数坎坷。

Tā jīnglì le wúshù kǎnkě.

He experienced countless hardships.

坎坷的生活让他坚强。

Kǎnkě de shēnghuó ràng tā jiānqiáng.

The rough life made him strong.

在坎坷中成长是宝贵的。

Zài kǎnkě zhōng chéngzhǎng shì bǎoguì de.

Growing up in adversity is precious.

面对坎坷，我们不要放弃。

Miànduì kǎnkě, wǒmen bùyào fàngqì.

Facing hardships, we should not give up.

人生的坎坷教会我们很多。

Rénshēng de kǎnkě jiàohuì wǒmen hěnduō.

The hardships of life teach us a lot.

即使前途坎坷，也要勇往直前。

Jíshǐ qiántú kǎnkě, yě yào yǒngwǎngzhíqián.

Even if the road ahead is bumpy, we must press forward.

克服坎坷需要决心和毅力。

Kèfú kǎnkě xūyào juéxīn hé yìlì.

Overcoming hardships requires determination and perseverance.

Related Characters

Component: 可

Component: 土

坷