Definitions

trunks (for books)

Etymology

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

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

Originating as a phono-semantic compound, the character "笈" combines the bamboo radical with the phonetic element "及" to denote a bamboo book satchel carried by scholars, a structure that directly reflects its initial function as a portable container for texts. Over time, the term's application broadened from referring solely to the physical object to encompassing the books themselves or the act of bearing them, often employed in classical phrases to symbolize the pursuit of learning away from home. While its form has remained consistent, the character retains its core association with scholarly tools, maintaining a link to its etymological roots in material and purpose.

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.