Definitions

surname Di; variant of 狄[dí], generic name for northern ethnic minorities during the Qin and Han Dynasties (221 BC-220 AD)
zhái surname Zhai
long-tail pheasant

Etymology

A bird  with a plumed tail

About

The character "翟" is composed of the elements for feathers and bird, which together point to its initial meaning as a pheasant distinguished by its long tail feathers. This primary zoological reference extended to encompass the feathers themselves, which found use in ritual attire and ornamental contexts over historical periods. While its graphical form has seen little alteration, the character's semantic range widened to include function as a surname, probable deriving from associations with locations or roles connected to such birds or their plumes, reflecting a shift from a concrete natural term to wider cultural and hereditary applications.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Western Zhou (1045-771 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

明是我的朋友。

Zhái Míng shì wǒ de péngyou.

Zhai Ming is my friend.

先生在北京工作。

Zhái xiānsheng zài Běijīng gōngzuò.

Mr. Zhai works in Beijing.

我们邀请了教授参加会议。

Wǒmen yāoqǐng le Zhái jiàoshòu cānjiā huìyì.

We invited Professor Zhai to attend the meeting.

家的花园非常漂亮。

Zhái jiā de huāyuán fēichāng piàoliang.

The Zhai family's garden is very beautiful.

志刚是中国著名的宇航员。

Zhái Zhìgāng shì Zhōngguó zhùmíng de yǔhángyuán.

Zhai Zhigang is a famous Chinese astronaut.

关于姓的历史有很多研究。

Guānyú Zhái xìng de lìshǐ yǒu hěn duō yánjiū.

There is much research on the history of the Zhai surname.

经理负责这个项目的开发。

Zhái jīnglǐ fùzé zhège xiàngmù de kāifā.

Manager Zhai is in charge of the development of this project.

在昨天的会议上,博士提出了新的方案。

Zài zuótiān de huìyì shàng, Zhái bóshì tíchū le xīn de fāng'àn.

At yesterday's meeting, Dr. Zhai proposed a new plan.