Definitions

jiāng (adjective) stiff; rigid
jiāng (adjective) at a deadlock; in a stalemate

Etymology phono-semantic

person

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "僵" structurally integrates the human radical "亻" on the left with the phonetic component "畺" on the right, where "畺" originally conveyed the concept of a boundary and supplied the pronunciation. Etymologically, this character initially described a physical state of rigidity, particularly the act of falling stiff or becoming immobile, as documented in classical Chinese literature. Its meaning gradually extended from denoting bodily stiffness to representing metaphorical inflexibility, such as in contexts of deadlock or unresolved confrontation, evident in compounds like "僵局" for stalemate. The character's form has remained consistent, with the semantic association to human conditions anchored by the radical and the phonetic element continuing to guide its sound.

Example Sentences Hide

他的表情很硬。

Tā de biǎoqíng hěn jiāngyìng.

His expression is very stiff.

冬天里,手指容易硬。

Dōngtiān lǐ, shǒuzhǐ róngyì jiāngyìng.

In winter, fingers easily become stiff.

尸电影很受欢迎。

Jiāngshī diànyǐng hěn shòu huānyíng.

Zombie movies are very popular.

双方持不下,谈判暂停。

Shuāngfāng jiāngchí bùxià, tánpàn zàntíng.

Both sides are deadlocked, and the negotiations are suspended.

这个局需要打破。

Zhège jiāngjú xūyào dǎpò.

This deadlock needs to be broken.

他的思想化,不接受新观念。

Tā de sīxiǎng jiānghuà, bù jiēshòu xīn guānniàn.

His thinking is rigid and does not accept new ideas.

由于资金问题,项目陷入了局。

Yóuyú zījīn wèntí, xiàngmù xiànrùle jiāngjú.

Due to funding issues, the project has reached a deadlock.

在激烈的辩论中,他立原地,无言以对。

Zài jīliè de biànlùn zhōng, tā jiāng lì yuándì, wú yán yǐ duì.

In the heated debate, he stood rigidly in place, speechless.