About
The character "枷" is a phono-semantic compound, consistently composed of the semantic component "木" (wood) and the phonetic component "加". This structure directly informs its original and primary meaning: a wooden cangue, which was a heavy rectangular board worn around the neck as an instrument of punishment and public humiliation in historical China. Over time, while retaining its literal reference to this physical restraint, the meaning of "枷" expanded metaphorically to represent any form of binding constraint or oppressive burden, whether imposed by social conventions, psychological states, or difficult circumstances, thereby shifting from a purely tangible object to a symbol of broader confinement.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
古代犯人戴枷锁。
这个枷锁很沉重。
枷锁是一种刑具。
他试图摆脱枷锁。
精神枷锁难以察觉。
社会枷锁阻碍了进步。
打破文化枷锁需要勇气。
在新时代，我们必须抛弃旧思想的枷锁。