Definitions

surname Ji; name of a mountain

Etymology phono-semantic

mountain

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "嵇" originated from the place name "嵇山" (Mount Ji) and was adopted as a surname during the late Han dynasty, particularly associated with the scholar Ji Kang who took the name from that location. Its structure combines the semantic component "山" (mountain) at the top, indicating its geographical origin, with the phonetic component "稽" (jī) below to suggest pronunciation. While initially tied to a specific mountain, the character's usage evolved to function exclusively as a surname, without acquiring additional meanings in common language.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

先生是我的老师。

Jī xiānsheng shì wǒ de lǎoshī.

Mr. Ji is my teacher.

我认识一位姓的朋友。

Wǒ rènshi yī wèi xìng Jī de péngyou.

I know a friend whose surname is Ji.

康是古代的音乐家。

Jī Kāng shì gǔdài de yīnyuèjiā.

Ji Kang was an ancient musician.

这本书提到了康的故事。

Zhè běn shū tí dào le Jī Kāng de gùshì.

This book mentions the story of Ji Kang.

我们在讨论康的文学成就。

Wǒmen zài tǎolùn Jī Kāng de wénxué chéngjiù.

We are discussing Ji Kang's literary achievements.

先生的演讲非常精彩。

Jī xiānsheng de yǎnjiǎng fēicháng jīngcǎi.

Mr. Ji's speech was very wonderful.

历史学家研究了康的生平。

Lìshǐ xuéjiā yánjiū le Jī Kāng de shēngpíng.

Historians have studied Ji Kang's life.

康的思想对后世影响深远。

Jī Kāng de sīxiǎng duì hòushì yǐngxiǎng shēnyuǎn.

Ji Kang's thoughts have a profound influence on later generations.