Definitions
boar; male pig
Etymology
About
The character 豭 (jiā) is a phono-semantic compound historically used in agricultural and zoological contexts. It combines the semantic radical 豕 (pig) on the left, which places it within the porcine category, with the phonetic component 叚 (jiǎ) on the right, which indicates its pronunciation. The character’s primary meaning is a male pig or boar. In ancient Chinese society, precise terms for livestock were essential for farming and ritual, creating a need for such specific vocabulary. While 叚 can mean “to borrow,” its function here is purely phonetic.
Etymology Hide
