Definitions

trunks (for books)

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. ⺮ represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "笈" is structured with the bamboo radical (竹) positioned above the component "及", which primarily offers phonetic guidance. Etymologically, this construction reflects the character's original referent: a portable case or backpack crafted from bamboo for carrying books and scrolls. Over time, the semantic scope of "笈" broadened from strictly denoting the physical container to also encompassing the books or volumes themselves, particularly within literary and specialized contexts, as seen in terms like "秘笈" where it indicates a revered or secret text. This shift from object to its contents illustrates a metonymic change in the character's application.

Example Sentences Hide

他负求学多年。

Tā fù jí qiú xué duō nián.

He studied away from home for many years.

里装满了课本。

Shū jí lǐ zhuāng mǎn le kè běn.

The book satchel is filled with textbooks.

留学需要勇气。

Fù jí liú xué xū yào yǒng qì.

Studying abroad requires courage.

他的书旧但耐用。

Tā de shū jí jiù dàn nài yòng.

His book satchel is old but durable.

他乡的日子很苦。

Fù jí tā xiāng de rì zi hěn kǔ.

The days of studying in a foreign land were hard.

这个书是用竹子编的。

Zhè gè shū jí shì yòng zhú zi biān de.

This book satchel is woven from bamboo.

求学的经历让他成长。

Fù jí qiú xué de jīng lì ràng tā chéng zhǎng.

The experience of studying away from home made him mature.

古代书生常负游学四方。

Gǔ dài shū shēng cháng fù jí yóu xué sì fāng.

Ancient scholars often traveled around to study with their book satchels.