About
The character '翘' derives from a phonetic-semantic construction where the radical '羽', representing feathers, is paired with the component '尧' acting as a phonetic guide, a structure mirrored in its traditional form '翹' which employs the more intricate phonetic element '堯'. Originally denoting the physical action of feathers lifting or rising, this literal sense persists in phrases like '翘起' for something tilting upward. From this concrete basis, the meaning expanded to encompass any protruding or upward-curving object, and subsequently acquired a figurative layer indicating prominence or superiority, as exemplified in the literary expression '翘楚' where it signifies a standout individual. Throughout its development, the persistent presence of the '羽' component has maintained a conceptual link to lightness and elevation, while the phonetic aspects have seen graphical variations that did not disrupt the core etymological connection.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
他翘起了大拇指。
小猫翘起了尾巴。
我们翘首等待春天。
他昨天翘课去玩了。
木板的一端翘起来了。
她是班级里的翘楚。
观众们翘首以盼新电影上映。
经济指标翘尾因素值得关注。