About
The character 锯, meaning "saw", is a phono-semantic compound where the semantic component 金 (metal, now simplified to 钅) classifies it as a tool typically made of metal, while the phonetic component 居 (jū) provides a clue to its approximate pronunciation. Its traditional form 鋸 maintains the same structural logic with the full metal radical. Historically, the character's core meaning has consistently referred to the tool with a toothed blade for cutting hard materials like wood or stone, but from this nominal meaning, a verbal sense naturally developed, so that 锯 also means the action of cutting or dividing with such a tool. This dual function reflects a common pattern in Chinese where the name of a tool readily extends to the action it performs, demonstrating how the character's conceptual scope expanded from denoting an object to encompassing its primary use.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
他在锯木头。
这把锯子很锋利。
工人用锯子切割木板。
锯子的锯齿需要打磨。
他小心地锯开那块厚木板。
除了锯子，他还准备了锤子和钉子。
因为锯子钝了，所以他锯木头很费力。
在使用电锯之前，必须检查锯齿是否完好。