Definitions

guǒ (verb) to wrap; to bind
guǒ (noun) bundle; parcel

Etymology phono-semantic

clothes

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character (guǒ) is composed of the phonetic component (guǒ, "fruit") nestled inside the semantic radical (yī, "clothing"), which splits to envelop it. This structure mirrors the act of wrapping an object in cloth, giving its core meaning of wrapping, binding, or bundling securely. Over time, the definition broadened from this literal sense of covering with fabric to the more general idea of enveloping, packaging, or incorporating, used in both physical and abstract contexts.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这个包很轻。

Zhège bāoguǒ hěn qīng.

This package is very light.

她用围巾着头。

Tā yòng wéijīn guǒ zhe tóu.

She wrapped her head with a scarf.

婴儿被毯子着。

Yīng'ér bèi tǎnzi guǒ zhe.

The baby is wrapped in a blanket.

紧大衣走出门。

Tā guǒ jǐn dàyī zǒu chū mén.

He wrapped his coat tightly and walked out the door.

面包着巧克力酱。

Miànbāo guǒ zhe qiǎokèlì jiàng.

The bread is coated with chocolate sauce.

伤口需要用纱布好。

Shāngkǒu xūyào yòng shābù guǒ hǎo.

The wound needs to be wrapped with gauze.

他把礼物在彩纸里。

Tā bǎ lǐwù guǒ zài cǎizhǐ lǐ.

He wrapped the gift in colorful paper.

云雾住了整个山峰。

Yúnwù guǒ zhù le zhěnggè shānfēng.

The clouds and mist enveloped the entire mountain peak.