Definitions

xiē wedge; to hammer in (variant of 揳[xiē])

Etymology phono-semantic

wood

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "楔" is structured with the wood radical on the left and the component "契" on the right, a composition that indicates its association with wooden objects while the phonetic element hints at its pronunciation. Etymologically, it originally denoted a wooden wedge utilized for splitting or fastening materials in practical tasks. Its meaning later broadened to encompass figurative uses, such as describing an element that inserts or initiates a process, much like a wedge driving into a space. This semantic expansion occurred without significant alteration to the character's form, which has preserved its compositional logic throughout its historical use.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他用木固定桌子。

Tā yòng mù xiē gùdìng zhuōzi.

He used a wooden wedge to fix the table.

门缝里塞了一个子。

Ménfèng lǐ sāi le yī gè xiēzi.

A wedge is stuck in the door crack.

形文字是一种古代文字。

Xiēxíng wénzì shì yī zhǒng gǔdài wénzì.

Cuneiform is an ancient script.

在木头中打入一个铁

Zài mùtou zhōng dǎ rù yī gè tiě xiē.

Drive an iron wedge into the wood.

这个故事有一个有趣的子。

Zhège gùshì yǒu yī gè yǒuqù de xiēzi.

This story has an interesting prologue.

工程师用形原理设计桥梁。

Gōngchéngshī yòng xiēxíng yuánlǐ shèjì qiáoliáng.

Engineers use the wedge principle to design bridges.

形齿轮用于机械传动。

Xiēxíng chǐlún yòng yú jīxiè chuándòng.

Wedge-shaped gears are used in mechanical transmission.

通过形策略,他们突破了市场壁垒。

Tōngguò xiēxíng cèlüè, tāmen tūpò le shìchǎng bìlěi.

Through a wedge strategy, they broke through market barriers.