筋

jīn

竹 + 肋

HSK 3.0Level 7

Definitions

jīn (noun) muscle; tendon

jīn (noun) fiber (in vegetables or plants)

Etymology

Bamboo-like ⺮ tendons in the chest 肋

About

筋 combines the bamboo radical ⺮ with 肋 (ribs), which itself joins the flesh component 月 and strength 力. This suggests bamboo-like sinews in the chest, capturing the fibrous resilience of tendons and ligaments that connect muscle to bone. Beyond its anatomical sense, 筋 also refers to visible veins beneath the skin and to the rib-like fibers or strings in plant leaves and other materials.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

多动脑筋有好处。

Duō dòng nǎojīn yǒu hǎochù.

Using your brain more has benefits.

他游泳时腿抽筋了。

Tā yóuyǒng shí tuǐ chōujīn le.

His leg cramped while swimming.

锻炼可以强健筋骨。

Duànliàn kěyǐ qiángjiàn jīngǔ.

Exercise can strengthen muscles and bones.

她用皮筋扎头发。

Tā yòng píjīn zhā tóufa.

She uses a rubber band to tie her hair.

这面条吃起来很筋道。

Zhè miàntiáo chī qǐlái hěn jīndao.

These noodles taste very chewy.

面筋是一种常见的食材。

Miànjīn shì yī zhǒng chángjiàn de shícái.

Gluten is a common ingredient.

这座桥用了很多钢筋。

Zhè zuò qiáo yòngle hěnduō gāngjīn.

This bridge uses a lot of steel bars.

炖牛筋需要很长时间。

Dùn niújīn xūyào hěn cháng shíjiān.

Stewing beef tendon requires a long time.

Related Characters

Component: 竹

筋