About
The character "格" originates from the concept of a tree's branches or latticework, as suggested by its structural composition with the wood radical (木) and the phonetic component "各", which historically conveyed a sense of "to come" or "to arrive" but here contributes to an idea of division or framework. Its early meanings were quite concrete, referring to the long branches of a tree, a fence, or a wooden frame, which then extended metaphorically to denote a standard pattern, a set rule, or a measured limit. Over time, this semantic field broadened considerably to encompass abstract notions of inner character or moral quality, as in "人格" (personality), and the idea of reaching a certain standard, as in "及格" (to pass a test). The character also developed grammatical functions, such as indicating case in linguistic terminology. Its traditional form, identical in this case to the simplified one, retains these layered meanings, moving from a physical object of division to a wide range of applications defining form, quality, and relationship.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
这种风格很流行。
老师对我们的要求很严格。
这家店的价格比较合理。
她的性格非常温和友善。
他努力学习，终于考试及格了。
这个城市的格局规划得很科学。
这篇作品的格调十分高雅。
科学研究需要格物致知的精神。