Definitions

(verb) to knock; to tap (against something hard)
(verb) to crack (seeds with teeth)

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

is a phono-semantic compound: the left side is the semantic radical (stone), which indicates the character's original connection to the hardness of rocks and the sounds produced when striking them. The right side, , provides the pronunciation. Its core meaning is the action of knocking, bumping, or tapping two hard objects together, typically yielding a sharp, distinct sound. From this sense of forceful impact against an unyielding surface, the character also denotes the act of kowtowing, striking one's forehead on the hard ground as an expression of deep reverence, submission, or urgent entreaty.

Etymology Hide

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

Example Sentences Hide

我的头到了墙。

Wǒ de tóu kē dào le qiáng.

My head bumped into the wall.

弟弟破了膝盖。

Dìdi kē pò le xīgài.

My younger brother scraped his knee.

绊绊地读完了课文。

Tā kēkēbànbàn de dú wán le kèwén.

He stumbled through reading the text aloud.

小孩头向长辈拜年。

Xiǎohái kētóu xiàng zhǎngbèi bàinián.

The child kowtows to elders to offer New Year greetings.

路上碰碰是常事。

Lùshang kēkēpèngpèng shì cháng shì.

Bumps and knocks on the road are common occurrences.

他不小心掉了牙齿。

Tā bù xiǎoxīn kē diào le yáchǐ.

He accidentally knocked out his tooth.

这段山路得我脚疼。

Zhè duàn shānlù kē de wǒ jiǎo téng.

This mountain path made my feet sore from all the jolting.

生活中难免会遇到绊。

Shēnghuó zhōng nánmiǎn huì yù dào kēbàn.

In life, it is inevitable to encounter setbacks.