窥

窺/闚

kuī

穴 + 规

Definitions

kuī to peep; to pry into

kuī variant of 窺|窥[kuī]

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 穴 represents the meaning and 规 represents the sound. Simplified form of 窺.

Semantic: 穴 Phonetic: 规

About

窥 is a phonosemantic compound: the upper component 穴 (cave, hole) provides the meaning of a confined opening, while 规 gives the sound. The traditional form 窺 uses 規, which combines 夫 (husband) and 見 (seeing) and thus reinforces the sense of watching. Together, the components suggest peeping or spying through a narrow crack or hole.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他窥视着窗外。

Tā kuīshì zhe chuāng wài.

He is peeking out the window.

小猫在窥视小鸟。

Xiǎo māo zài kuīshì xiǎo niǎo.

The kitten is peeking at the little bird.

不要窥探别人的隐私。

Bù yào kuītàn biérén de yǐnsī.

Do not pry into others' privacy.

她透过窗帘窥视外面。

Tā tòu guò chuānglián kuīshì wàimiàn.

She peeks outside through the curtains.

窥见真相需要耐心。

Kuījiàn zhēnxiàng xūyào nàixīn.

Catching a glimpse of the truth requires patience.

如果你窥伺机会，就能成功。

Rúguǒ nǐ kuīsì jīhuì, jiù néng chénggōng.

If you watch for opportunities, you can succeed.

科学家通过显微镜窥视微观世界。

Kēxuéjiā tōngguò xiǎnwēijìng kuīshì wēiguān shìjiè.

Scientists use microscopes to observe the microscopic world.

窥探宇宙的奥秘是人类永恒的追求。

Kuītàn yǔzhòu de àomì shì rénlèi yǒnghéng de zhuīqiú.

Probing the mysteries of the universe is humanity's eternal pursuit.

Related Characters

Component: 穴

Component: 规

窥