Definitions

hoe; mattock

Etymology

About

is a phono-semantic compound character that serves as the simplified form of the traditional . The left side is the simplified metal radical , placing it in the category of metal tools, hardware, and forged implements. The right side is the phonetic component , which indicates the pronunciation "zī". In meaning, refers to a type of metallic hoe, a digging implement used for cultivating soil in agriculture. Although it is a simplified character, it names a highly specific traditional farming tool, so it appears almost exclusively in agricultural and historical contexts and is rarely used in modern everyday language.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern