Definitions

(literary) good luck; good fortune; (used in formal letter-ending phrases and in personal names)

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 祺, which signifies auspiciousness or good fortune, is constructed from the semantic component 礻, a variant of 示 representing matters related to spirits or the divine, combined with 其 which primarily serves a phonetic function but also carries a sense of "that which is". This structure points to an original meaning concerning a divine blessing or a favorable omen from the spirits. Historically, its core meaning has remained centered on propitiousness, as seen in classical texts and the enduring expression 祺祥. Over time, while retaining its association with general blessing and luck, the character's usage became more narrowly focused, and it is now most commonly encountered as an elegant and positive element in personal names, where it conveys wishes for happiness and good fortune upon the bearer.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

是我的同学。

Zhāng Qí shì wǒ de tóngxué.

Zhang Qi is my classmate.

喜欢读书。

Lǐ Qí xǐhuān dúshū.

Li Qi likes reading.

我们希望生活祥。

Wǒmen xīwàng shēnghuó qíxiáng.

We hope life is auspicious.

这座城市充满福。

Zhè zuò chéngshì chōngmǎn qífú.

This city is full of good fortune.

在节日里,人们祈求祥。

Zài jiérì lǐ, rénmen qíqiú qíxiáng.

During festivals, people pray for auspiciousness.

他的作品传达了福的理念。

Tā de zuòpǐn chuándá le qífú de lǐniàn.

His works convey the concept of good fortune.

通过努力,我们迎来了事业的祥。

Tōngguò nǔlì, wǒmen yíngláile shìyè de qíxiáng.

Through hard work, we have ushered in the auspiciousness of our career.

在传统文化的熏陶下,福成为共同的向往。

Zài chuántǒng wénhuà de xūntáo xià, qífú chéngwéi gòngtóng de xiàngwǎng.

Under the influence of traditional culture, good fortune becomes a common aspiration.