Definitions

qiǎo (adjective) skillful; clever
qiǎo (adverb) opportunely; coincidentally; by chance

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 巧 is a phono-semantic compound where the left radical 工 signifies work, labor, or a craftsman's tool, linking it to manual skill and craftsmanship. The right component 丂 (kǎo) serves as the phonetic indicator, also evoking the notion of breath or energy overcoming an obstacle. Originally, the character described high physical dexterity, referring to the ingenuity and technical skill of a master artisan creating complex objects. Over time, its meaning expanded from physical craftsmanship to encompass mental agility, cleverness, and articulate speech. Today, 巧 frequently denotes coincidental timing, clever tricks, artistic ingenuity, or remarkably opportune situations.

Etymology Hide

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 Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Jin dynasty (266-420 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这个主意很妙。

Zhège zhǔyì hěn qiǎomiào.

This idea is very clever.

合的事情发生了。

Qiǎohé de shìqíng fāshēng le.

A coincidental thing happened.

手编织毛衣。

Tā qiǎoshǒu biānzhī máoyī.

She skillfully knits a sweater.

妙的设计节省空间。

Qiǎomiào de shèjì jiéshěng kōngjiān.

The ingenious design saves space.

这次相遇纯属合。

Zhè cì xiāngyù chún shǔ qiǎohé.

This encounter is purely coincidental.

妙地避免了冲突。

Tā qiǎomiào de bìmiǎn le chōngtū.

He cleverly avoided the conflict.

没有手很难做细活。

Méiyǒu qiǎoshǒu hěn nán zuò xì huó.

Without skillful hands, it's hard to do delicate work.

合往往出乎意料之外。

Qiǎohé wǎngwǎng chūhū yìliào zhī wài.

Coincidences often are beyond expectation.