矩

榘

jǔ

巨 + 矢

Definitions

jǔ (noun) carpenter's square; measuring tool

jǔ (noun) rule; regulation; standard

Etymology

Depicts a person (大/夫) holding a tool (巨). 巨 also represents the sound.

Semantic: 矢 Phonetic: 巨

About

The character 矩 originally depicted a person (大/夫) holding a tool (巨), with 巨 also indicating the sound. It first referred to a carpenter's square, used to draw right angles and ensure straight lines in construction. Over time, the meaning extended from this physical instrument to abstract concepts of rules, standards, and proper conduct. In mathematical contexts, its link to right angles led to terms for rectangles and matrices, reflecting a broader shift from a concrete tool to frameworks of order and measurement.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

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)

Seal etymology image

Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Cao Wei (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

做人要懂规矩。

Zuò rén yào dǒng guī ju.

One should understand rules in life.

这个图形是矩形。

Zhè gè tú xíng shì jǔ xíng.

This shape is a rectangle.

他画了一个矩形。

Tā huà le yī gè jǔ xíng.

He drew a rectangle.

学校有很多规矩。

Xué xiào yǒu hěn duō guī ju.

The school has many rules.

数学里常用矩阵。

Shù xué lǐ cháng yòng jǔ zhèn.

Matrices are often used in mathematics.

工程师计算了力矩。

Gōng chéng shī jì suàn le lì jǔ.

The engineer calculated the moment.

这个矩阵运算很复杂。

Zhè gè jǔ zhèn yùn suàn hěn fù zá.

This matrix operation is very complex.

物理学家用力矩分析旋转。

Wù lǐ xué jiā yòng lì jǔ fēn xī xuán zhuǎn.

Physicists use moment to analyze rotation.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 巨

Component: 矢

Example Words