Definitions

jiǎo marsh

Etymology phono-semantic

water

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character is a phono-semantic compound that primarily denotes a small pool or puddle. Its left side, the water radical , categorizes it within the realm of water bodies and liquids. The right component is , meaning "autumn" on its own, but here it functions purely as the phonetic indicator, supplying the pronunciation without any seasonal connotation. In addition to this primary meaning, the character has an alternate pronunciation and sense in classical texts, where it describes something low-lying, narrow, or confined.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Cao Wei (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern