稽

jī, qǐ

尤 + 旨 + 禾

Definitions

jī surname Ji

jī (bound form) to examine; to check (against records); (literary) to delay; to linger; (literary) to dispute; to argue

qǐ to bow to the ground

Etymology phono-semantic

grain

Semantic: 禾 Phonetic: 旨

About

稽 is a phono-semantic compound, with the grain radical 禾 on the left and the phonetic component 尤 + 旨 on the right. Its primary meaning involves administrative inspection and investigation, likely originating from the agricultural practice of assessing crop yields and granary stores. It also has a secondary pronunciation and meaning, denoting the formal gesture of kowtowing, bowing deeply until the head touches the ground as a sign of profound reverence.

Etymology Hide

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Seal Xin dynasty (9-23 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Seal Wu (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他的表演很滑稽。

Tā de biǎoyǎn hěn huájī.

His performance is very funny.

警察正在稽查车辆。

Jǐngchá zhèngzài jīchá chēliàng.

The police are inspecting the vehicles.

公司定期稽核财务。

Gōngsī dìngqī jīhé cáiwù.

The company regularly audits its finances.

他因故稽留了几天。

Tā yīn gù jīliú le jǐ tiān.

He was detained for a few days due to some reason.

历史资料需要仔细稽考。

Lìshǐ zīliào xūyào zǐxì jīkǎo.

Historical materials require careful verification.

工程稽延会导致成本增加。

Gōngchéng jīyán huì dǎozhì chéngběn zēngjiā.

Project delays will lead to increased costs.

海关稽察出入境货物很严格。

Hǎiguān jīchá chūrùjìng huòwù hěn yángé.

Customs inspection of inbound and outbound goods is very strict.

在古代，臣子向君王行稽首礼。

Zài gǔdài, chénzǐ xiàng jūnwáng xíng qǐshǒu lǐ.

In ancient times, ministers performed the kowtow to the monarch.

Related Characters

Component: 尤

Component: 旨

Component: 禾

稽