Definitions

dǒng (verb) to supervise; to direct
Dǒng (noun) surname

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "董" is structured with the grass radical "艹" positioned above the phonetic component "重", indicating an initial association with a type of plant or rush in its earliest meanings. This botanical reference gradually extended to imply the action of binding or fixing, which metaphorically shifted toward concepts of control and supervision. By the classical era, "董" was regularly used as a verb meaning to rectify, oversee, or manage, a semantic development that led to its modern applications in terms such as "董事" for a corporate director, while it concurrently has functioned as a surname throughout its history.

Etymology Hide

Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

先生是我们的领导。

Dǒng xiānsheng shì wǒmen de lǐngdǎo.

Mr. Dong is our leader.

事会成员正在开会。

Dǒngshì huì chéngyuán zhèngzài kāihuì.

The board members are having a meeting.

他被选为学校事。

Tā bèi xuǎn wéi xuéxiào dǒngshì.

He was elected as a school trustee.

经理负责这个项目。

Dǒng jīnglǐ fùzé zhège xiàngmù.

Manager Dong is in charge of this project.

这件事需要事会批准。

Zhè jiàn shì xūyào dǒngshìhuì pīzhǔn.

This matter requires the approval of the board of directors.

仲舒是汉代著名学者。

Dǒng Zhòngshū shì Hàndài zhùmíng xuézhě.

Dong Zhongshu was a famous scholar of the Han Dynasty.

收藏需要专业知识。

Gǔdǒng shōucáng xūyào zhuānyè zhīshi.

Antique collection requires professional knowledge.

公司事局做出了最终决策。

Gōngsī dǒngshìjú zuòchūle zuìzhōng juécè.

The company's board of directors made the final decision.