Definitions
(noun)
dagger-axe
Etymology
Pictograph of a weapon with a long shaft and horizontal blade.
About
The character '戈' originated as a pictograph of a dagger-axe, a pole weapon featuring a lateral blade that was prevalent in early Chinese warfare, and its visual structure has persistently emphasized the instrument's distinctive form. Over time, this character transitioned from solely representing the physical weapon to functioning as a fundamental radical in numerous compounds conveying notions of combat, such as '战' for battle or '伐' for attack, thereby extending its semantic field to encompass broader ideas of military conflict and hostility. While its graphic representation has maintained a consistent simplicity, the meaning associated with '戈' shifted from a concrete object to an abstract symbol of martial affairs, solidifying its role within the language as a durable signifier of armed struggle.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
戈壁是一个沙漠。
干戈不是好东西。
他倒戈投向敌人。
兵戈之声令人恐惧。
戈壁滩上气候恶劣。
古代人们使用干戈。
在冲突中，倒戈是危险的。
戈壁的地理环境非常独特。