Definitions

kǎi joyful; kind

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Simplified form of .

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "恺", derived from its traditional form "愷", etymologically combines the heart radical indicating emotional faculties with the component "豈" functioning as a phonetic element that also carried associations of joy and harmonious sound, thereby linking the character to concepts of gladness and benevolence. Its structure, anchored by the heart radical, consistently reflects its relation to temperament and inner feelings, while the phonetic component historically contributed to both its pronunciation and its semantic range encompassing kindness and concord. In classical usage, the term was employed to denote gentle and joyful dispositions, particularly in contexts of virtuous leadership or personal affability, but over time its meaning refined to specifically convey amiability and geniality. The simplified form "恺" maintains this core significance through a structural adjustment that reduces the complexity of the phonetic part, yet preserves the character's essential meaning without divergence from its historical connotations.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Cao Wei (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

文喜欢看书。

Kǎiwén xǐhuān kànshū.

Kaiwen likes reading books.

乐今天很开心。

Kǎilè jīntiān hěn kāixīn.

Kaile is very happy today.

在公园里玩。

Kǎikai zài gōngyuán lǐ wán.

Kaikai is playing in the park.

获得了比赛冠军。

Zhāng Kǎi huòdé le bǐsài guànjūn.

Zhang Kai won the championship.

文的学习成绩很好。

Kǎiwén de xuéxí chéngjì hěn hǎo.

Kaiwen's academic performance is very good.

乐在音乐会上弹钢琴。

Kǎilè zài yīnyuèhuì shàng tán gāngqín.

Kaile played piano at the concert.

悌之风让人感到温暖。

Kǎitì zhī fēng ràng rén gǎndào wēnnuǎn.

The ethos of kindness and amiability makes people feel warm.

在当今社会,悌的精神尤为需要。

Zài dāngjīn shèhuì, kǎitì de jīngshén yóuwéi xūyào.

In today's society, the spirit of kindness and amiability is especially needed.