About
The character for "needle", now commonly written as "针", originated from its traditional form "針", which is composed of the metal radical "金" on the left and the component "咸" on the right, the latter originally functioning phonetically. This structure directly indicated a needle as a metal tool. Over time, the meaning extended beyond a sewing implement to include medical acupuncture needles and, by metaphorical extension, things that are needle-like or pointed, such as a compass needle or a pine needle. The simplified form "针" replaced the complex phonetic component "咸" with the simpler "十", but retained the metal radical "金", maintaining the conceptual link to a metal object while streamlining the character's construction.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
这根针很细。
妈妈用针缝我的衣服。
时钟的时针指向了十二点。
护士打针的技术非常好。
医生建议我进行针灸治疗。
针对目前的困难，我们要想办法。
他的批评句句如针，刺在我心上。
这项政策是针砭时弊的良方。