孔

kǒng

乚 + 子

HSK 2.0Level 6

HSK 3.0Level 7

Definitions

kǒng (noun) hole; opening

kǒng (noun) cave dwelling

Etymology

Depicts an opening in a child's (子) head, representing the fontanel. Based on the original meaning "fontanel". The meaning of this character has shifted over time and now means "hole" and "opening".

About

孔 is composed of 子 (child) and a curved stroke 乚 that marks the fontanel on an infant's head, giving it the original meaning "fontanel". Over time, this sense broadened to the general meaning "hole" or "opening", which is its standard use today. The character is also a common surname, most famously borne by Confucius (Kǒngzǐ).

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Mid Warring States (~300 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

孔子是中国古代的哲学家。

Kǒngzǐ shì Zhōngguó gǔdài de zhéxuéjiā.

Confucius was an ancient Chinese philosopher.

运动后我的毛孔张开了。

Yùndòng hòu wǒ de máokǒng zhāngkāi le.

After exercise, my pores opened.

他用鼻孔呼吸新鲜空气。

Tā yòng bíkǒng hūxī xīnxiān kōngqì.

He breathes fresh air through his nostrils.

动物园里有一只美丽的孔雀。

Dòngwùyuán lǐ yǒu yī zhī měilì de kǒngquè.

There is a beautiful peacock in the zoo.

墙上有一个小小的孔洞。

Qiáng shàng yǒu yī gè xiǎoxiǎo de kǒngdòng.

There is a small hole in the wall.

我们在节日放了很多孔明灯。

Wǒmen zài jiérì fàngle hěnduō kǒngmíngdēng.

We released many sky lanterns during the festival.

这条孔道连接着两个山谷。

Zhè tiáo kǒngdào liánjiē zhe liǎng gè shāngǔ.

This passage connects two valleys.

显微镜下可以观察到微小的孔结构。

Xiǎnwēijìng xià kěyǐ guānchá dào wēixiǎo de kǒng jiégòu.

Under the microscope, tiny pore structures can be observed.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 乚

Component: 子

Example Words