Definitions
(noun)
armor plating; shell; carapace
(noun)
fingernail; toenail
(numeral)
first of the ten Heavenly Stems; first (in order or ranking)
Etymology
Origin unclear. Possibly depicts cracks on a shell or tree bark.
About
The character "甲" derives from an early pictograph depicting a protective shell or armor, with its basic structure of a enclosed shape crossed by a central line reflecting this origin. Its meaning initially centered on physical coverings like turtle carapaces or warrior armor, but later extended into abstract sequencing as the first of the ten Heavenly Stems, a role that led to its use denoting primacy or highest grade, such as in classification systems. The character's form has seen minimal alteration over time, and its traditional representation is the same as the modern one, with no distinct simplified version. Contemporary usage continues to draw from both its concrete sense of a hard outer layer, as in "指甲" for fingernail, and its symbolic standing for first rank or quality.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我剪了指甲。
甲虫是一种昆虫。
船上的甲板很干净。
这次比赛他得了甲等。
甲状腺是重要器官。
在列表中，甲代表第一。
这款手机的性能属甲级。
古代战士穿着盔甲作战。