About
The character 拱 is a phono-semantic compound. The hand radical 扌 on the left connects it to manual actions and physical movements. The right component, 共 (gòng, "together"), provides both the pronunciation and a semantic hint of convergence. Its original meaning describes the traditional respectful gesture of cupping one hand over the other in salute. From the curved shape formed by the arms in this gesture, the meaning extended to denote any upwardly curved structure, like a bridge or archway, as well as the action of pushing upward or curling the body into an arch.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
他向我拱了拱手。
那座拱桥很古老。
我们穿过了拱门。
小猪用鼻子拱土。
孩子们在拱形门下玩耍。
这座石拱桥历史悠久。
他拱手让出了领导位置。
为了表示尊敬，他拱着手向长辈行礼。