Definitions

thoroughfare

Etymology phono-semantic

step

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

衢 is a phono-semantic compound describing a major urban thoroughfare. The radical 行, meaning "walk" or "movement", is split to enclose the inner component, strongly associating the character with roads, travel, and intersections. The internal component 瞿 serves as the phonetic element, providing the pronunciation "qu". Historically, it was created to denote a wide avenue or bustling crossroads where multiple streets meet, signifying a primary artery of transportation rather than a narrow alley. The character specifically refers to such expansive streets, city layouts, or central traffic hubs within this precise architectural definition.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern