Definitions

(noun) bone

Etymology

Pictograph of a bone () with a muscle () attached to it.

About

The character 骨, meaning bone, is structurally composed of the component 冎, representing a skeletal frame, above 月, a form of 肉 denoting flesh, which etymologically reflects the conceptual integration of bones within the body. Its primary meaning has always been physical bone, but over time it developed extended uses to indicate essential frameworks, as in 骨架 for skeleton, or core qualities, such as in 骨氣 for moral fortitude.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Shang dynasty (~1100 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

汤里有头。

Tāng lǐ yǒu gǔtou.

There are bones in the soup.

这只狗啃头。

Zhè zhī gǒu kěn gǔtou.

This dog chews on bones.

他的手臂折了。

Tā de shǒubì gǔzhé le.

His arm is fractured.

骼支撑着身体。

Gǔgé zhīchēng zhe shēntǐ.

The skeleton supports the body.

模特都很感。

Mótè dōu hěn gǔgǎn.

Models are all very slim.

他是公司的干。

Tā shì gōngsī de gǔgàn.

He is the backbone of the company.

她是个有气的人。

Tā shì gè yǒu gǔqì de rén.

She is a person with integrity.

子里很善良。

Tā gǔzǐ lǐ hěn shànliáng.

He is inherently kind-hearted.