Definitions
About
The character 称, derived from the traditional form 稱, is a phono-semantic compound rooted in agricultural measurement. Its left side carries the grain radical 禾, indicating a semantic connection to harvested crops, while the original right component 爯 depicts a hand lifting a fish, suggesting the action of lifting or weighing. In its simplified form, 稱 became 称, keeping the grain radical but replacing the right side with the phonetic component 尔. Its core meaning originally referred to the physical act of weighing grain to ascertain its exact mass. From this concrete sense of measurement, the meaning extended metaphorically to encompass praising, stating, addressing someone by title, and, as a noun, an official name or designation.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我称他为朋友。
她称赞我聪明。
请称一下重量。
他声称自己无罪。
这幅画很对称。
我对工作很称心。
他获得了冠军称号。
这种植物俗称太阳花。