Definitions

to build by laying bricks or stones
qiè used in 砌末[qiè mo]

Etymology

To cut  stone  also provides the pronunciation

About

The character "砌" is a semantic-phonetic compound, structured with the semantic component 石 (stone) on the left and the phonetic component 切 (qiē, to cut) on the right, a form consistent in its traditional version. Its core meaning, derived from this structure, is the action of building or paving with stone or brick, involving cutting and fitting materials. Over time, the character's application expanded from this specific construction technique to describe the act of inlaying or setting items into a surface, as in "砌嵌". This literal sense also provided a basis for a metaphorical extension, allowing the verb to describe the patterned or layered arrangement of non-physical things, such as words or concepts.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

工人用砖墙。

Gōngrén yòng zhuān qì qiáng.

Workers use bricks to build a wall.

他正在砖。

Tā zhèngzài qì zhuān.

He is laying bricks.

墙需要耐心。

Qì qiáng xūyào nàixīn.

Building a wall requires patience.

他们了一个花坛。

Tāmen qìle yīgè huātán.

They built a flower bed.

这座房子是用石头的。

Zhè zuò fángzi shì yòng shítou qì de.

This house is built with stones.

筑时要注意安全。

Qìzhù shí yào zhùyì ānquán.

When doing masonry, pay attention to safety.

古代城墙是用巨石成的。

Gǔdài chéngqiáng shì yòng jù shí qì chéng de.

Ancient city walls were built with huge stones.

体结构的耐久性很好。

Qìtǐ jiégòu de nàijiǔxìng hěn hǎo.

The durability of masonry structures is very good.