Definitions

lèi rib; Taiwan pr. [lè]

Etymology

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

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "肋" derives from a structural composition that integrates the semantic radical "肉" (flesh), conventionally written in its modern form as "月", with the component "力" (strength), which historically functioned as both a phonetic element and a conceptual allusion to the ribs' role in providing bodily support. Its etymology is directly tied to the anatomical ribs, and this primary meaning has persisted with little alteration, maintaining a consistent reference to that part of the human or animal frame. Over time, while the character has occasionally been employed in extended or metaphorical senses to describe rib-like features in objects or architectures, its core semantic focus has remained narrowly anatomical, and its graphical construction has not undergone significant modification.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我的骨很痛。

Wǒ de lèigǔ hěn tòng.

My ribs hurt a lot.

医生检查了他的骨。

Yīshēng jiǎnchá le tā de lèigǔ.

The doctor examined his ribs.

他不小心撞到了部。

Tā bù xiǎoxīn zhuàng dào le lèi bù.

He accidentally bumped his rib area.

妈妈煮了美味的排。

Māma zhǔ le měiwèi de lèi pái.

Mom cooked delicious ribs.

因为摔倒,他骨折了。

Yīnwèi shuāi dǎo, tā lèigǔ zhé le.

Because he fell, his rib broke.

在车祸中,他的骨断了两根。

Zài chēhuò zhōng, tā de lèigǔ duàn le liǎng gēn.

In the car accident, two of his ribs were broken.

间神经痛让他很难受。

Lèi jiān shénjīng tòng ràng tā hěn nánshòu.

Intercostal neuralgia makes him very uncomfortable.

为了保护内脏,人体的骨构成了胸腔。

Wèile bǎohù nèizàng, réntǐ de lèigǔ gòuchéng le xiōngqiāng.

To protect the internal organs, the human body's ribs form the thoracic cavity.