Definitions

qiáo (noun) bridge

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Simplified form of .

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character for "bridge" in its traditional form is "橋", a structure composed of the semantic component 木, meaning wood, and the phonetic component 喬, which suggests both sound and the idea of something tall or arched. This construction reflects the early physical reality of bridges, which were primarily elevated wooden structures designed to span gaps. Over centuries, while the core meaning of a construction for crossing remained constant, the character's application broadened from referring to specific, often wooden, edifices to encompassing any structure serving that function, regardless of material. The simplified form "桥" emerged by replacing the complex phonetic element 喬 with the simpler 乔, yet it retains the foundational wooden element, preserving a tangible link to the character's etymological origins in its material composition.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这座很长。

Zhè zuò qiáo hěn cháng.

This bridge is very long.

河上有一座石

Hé shàng yǒu yī zuò shí qiáo.

There is a stone bridge over the river.

新建的大非常雄伟。

Xīn jiàn de dà qiáo fēicháng xióngwěi.

The newly built bridge is very magnificent.

我们约定在下见面。

Wǒmen yuēdìng zài qiáo xià jiànmiàn.

We arranged to meet under the bridge.

这座梁的设计很独特。

Zhè zuò qiáoliáng de shèjì hěn dútè.

The design of this bridge is very unique.

长江上的梁连接着两岸。

Cháng Jiāng shàng de qiáoliáng liánjiē zhe liǎng àn.

The bridges over the Yangtze River connect the two banks.

古代的工匠建造了这座坚固的

Gǔdài de gōngjiàng jiànzào le zhè zuò jiāngù de qiáo.

Ancient craftsmen built this sturdy bridge.

这座跨海大极大地便利了交通。

Zhè zuò kuàhǎi dàqiáo jídà dì biànlì le jiāotōng.

This cross-sea bridge has greatly facilitated transportation.