Definitions

(adjective) neat; uniform; even
(adjective) simultaneous; all together
(verb) to even out; to make level

Etymology

Simplified form of . Pictograph of three stalks of grain. Alludes to the even and uniform appearance of a grain field.

About

The character (traditional ) expresses the ideas of evenness, neatness, and equality. The traditional form, , originated as a pictograph of three grain stalks rising side by side to the same height, capturing the uniform look of a ripening field. In the simplified , the elaborate upper and lower elements are reduced to a compact, abstract shape that no longer suggests grain. From this agricultural image, the meaning broadened to denote general uniformity, the action of putting things in order, and the sense of completeness, having all parts together with nothing missing.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Shang dynasty (~1100 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Warring States (~400 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Warring States (~400 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Warring States (~400 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Warring States (~300 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Warring States (~300 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Warring States (~300 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Warring States (~300 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Warring States (~250 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)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他的房间很整

Tā de fángjiān hěn zhěngqí.

His room is very tidy.

我们一去公园。

Wǒmen yīqí qù gōngyuán.

We go to the park together.

学生们声朗读。

Xuéshēngmen qíshēng lǎngdú.

The students read aloud in unison.

这家商店商品全。

Zhè jiā shāngdiàn shāngpǐn qíquán.

This shop has a complete range of goods.

士兵们步走前进。

Shìbīngmen qíbù zǒu qiánjìn.

The soldiers march forward in step.

请把文字对左边。

Qǐng bǎ wénzì duìqí zuǒbiān.

Please align the text to the left.

这两位作家名于世。

Zhè liǎng wèi zuòjiā qímíng yú shì.

These two writers are equally famous in the world.

为了确保活动顺利,所有设备必须全。

Wèile quèbǎo huódòng shùnlì, suǒyǒu shèbèi bìxū qíquán.

To ensure the event goes smoothly, all equipment must be complete.