Definitions

(noun) rhinoceros
(adjective) sharp

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the sound and represents the meaning.

About

The character "犀" originally denoted the rhinoceros, an animal documented in early Chinese texts, and its modern form is structurally composed of "尸" above "牛", with the latter component suggesting a bovine or large animal category while the former may have phonetic origins. From this primary zoological reference, the meaning of "犀" extended to describe attributes of sharpness and acuity, as seen in compounds such as "犀利", a semantic shift likely influenced by the formidable and penetrating quality attributed to the rhinoceros horn.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Western Zhou (1045-771 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

牛是一种动物。

Xīniú shì yī zhǒng dòngwù.

Rhinoceros is a type of animal.

他的目光很利。

Tā de mùguāng hěn xīlì.

His gaze is very sharp.

这把刀非常利。

Zhè bǎ dāo fēicháng xīlì.

This knife is very sharp.

牛有厚厚的皮肤。

Xīniú yǒu hòuhòu de pífū.

Rhinoceroses have thick skin.

她提出了利的问题。

Tā tíchūle xīlì de wèntí.

She raised a sharp question.

鸟是一种美丽的鸟。

Xīniǎo shì yī zhǒng měilì de niǎo.

Hornbill is a beautiful bird.

牛的角被认为有药用价值。

Xīniú de xījiǎo bèi rènwéi yǒu yàoyòng jiàzhí.

Rhinoceros horn is believed to have medicinal value.

他的分析总是那么利和透彻。

Tā de fēnxī zǒngshì nàme xīlì hé tòuchè.

His analysis is always so sharp and thorough.