About
The character 掌 is structured with 尚 positioned above 手, where 手 acts as the semantic component meaning "hand" and 尚 primarily provides phonetic indication. Its original meaning was the palm of the hand, a concrete noun that later extended through metaphorical use to form verbs meaning to control, manage, or hold authority, as seen in compounds such as 掌握 (to grasp) and 掌管 (to administer). While the character's form has not altered, its semantic range broadened from denoting a part of the body to encompassing abstract concepts of governance and mastery, retaining the hand component 手 as a clear link to its origin.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
他拍了拍手掌。
掌心朝上放平。
他掌握了基本技能。
船长亲自掌舵。
他是公司的掌门人。
掌上电脑很方便。
他现在掌权了。
她掌管着整个部门的运营。