箭

jiàn

前 + 竹

HSK 3.0Level 6

Definitions

jiàn (noun) arrow

Etymology

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

Semantic: ⺮ Phonetic: 前

About

箭 is a phonosemantic compound: 竹 (bamboo) sits atop the character, marking the traditional material for arrows, while 前 (qián) supplies the sound and subtly evokes the forward motion of a shot arrow. It denotes an arrow, the slender, pointed missile launched from a bow for hunting or battle. The meaning has stayed tightly bound to this weapon, but it is occasionally used metaphorically for objects shaped like an arrow or for actions of extreme speed and directness, like a projectile rushing unstoppably toward its target.

Etymology Hide

Bronze Mid Warring States (~300 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他射出了一支箭。

Tā shè chū le yī zhī jiàn.

He shot an arrow.

这支箭非常锋利。

Zhè zhī jiàn fēicháng fēnglì.

This arrow is very sharp.

箭靶上插满了箭。

Jiàn bǎ shàng chā mǎn le jiàn.

The target is full of arrows.

弓箭是古代的重要武器。

Gōngjiàn shì gǔdài de zhòngyào wǔqì.

The bow and arrow were important weapons in ancient times.

他瞄准目标，然后放箭。

Tā miáozhǔn mùbiāo, ránhòu fàng jiàn.

He aimed at the target and then released the arrow.

箭矢如雨点般射向敌军。

Jiànshǐ rú yǔdiǎn bān shè xiàng díjūn.

Arrows rained down on the enemy troops.

制作一支箭需要选择合适的材料。

Zhìzuò yī zhī jiàn xūyào xuǎnzé héshì de cáiliào.

Making an arrow requires choosing suitable materials.

在比赛中，他的箭准确无误地命中靶心。

Zài bǐsài zhōng, tā de jiàn zhǔnquè wúwù de mìngzhòng bǎxīn.

In the competition, his arrow accurately hit the bullseye without error.

Related Characters

Component: 前

Component: 竹

箭