Definitions

ancient name for go (Chinese board game)

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 弈 is composed of the semantic radical 廾 (depicting two hands) at the bottom and the phonetic component 亦 above. It originally meant the board game Go or the act of playing it, with the hands symbolizing the placement of pieces. In some classical texts, its usage extended to describe things that are grand or abundant, though the primary association remains with the game.

Etymology Hide

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