Definitions

kǎi (adjective) generous; magnanimous
kǎi (adjective) indignant
kǎi (verb) to sigh with emotion

Etymology

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

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "慨" is structured with the heart radical 忄 on the left and the phonetic component 既 on the right, a formation that has remained consistent through its history, directly linking its meanings to states of emotion or mind. Etymologically, it originates from early Chinese usage where it conveyed a sense of sighing or being agitated by strong feelings, often observed in classical texts describing resonant emotional responses. Over time, its semantic scope refined and broadened, acquiring the more specific connotations of indignation or generosity, thus shifting from a general expression of emotional stir to encompassing these distinct moral and affective qualities. The component 既, while primarily phonetic, also carries a sense of completion or past action, subtly influencing the character's nuance towards reactions formed from reflection or settled sentiment.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 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 Cao Wei (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Jin dynasty (266-316 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他慷地帮助了朋友。

tā kāng kǎi de bāng zhù le péng yǒu.

He generously helped his friend.

她感时间过得真快。

tā gǎn kǎi shí jiān guò de zhēn kuài.

She lamented how fast time flies.

我们慷地捐助了灾区。

wǒ men kāng kǎi de juān zhù le zāi qū.

We generously donated to the disaster area.

他对此事感到非常愤

tā duì cǐ shì gǎn dào fēi cháng fèn kǎi.

He felt very indignant about this matter.

他慷陈词,赢得了大家的掌声。

tā kāng kǎi chén cí, yíng dé le dà jiā de zhǎng shēng.

He spoke with fervor and won everyone's applause.

老人感地说起过去的故事。

lǎo rén gǎn kǎi de shuō qǐ guò qù de gù shì.

The old man spoke with emotion about stories of the past.

他慷激昂的演讲鼓舞了所有人。

tā kāng kǎi jī áng de yǎn jiǎng gǔ wǔ le suǒ yǒu rén.

His impassioned speech inspired everyone.

这位慈善家的慷解囊令人由衷敬佩。

zhè wèi cí shàn jiā de kāng kǎi jiě náng lìng rén yóu zhōng jìng pèi.

The philanthropist's generous donations command sincere admiration.