Definitions

guī (noun) tortoise; turtle

Etymology

Simplified form of . Pictograph of a tortoise.

About

The character 龟 (guī) is a pictogram originally depicting a turtle in profile, showing its head, shell, legs, and tail. The traditional form 龜 retains this detailed visual complexity, while the simplified version reduces strokes but still suggests the outline of the shell and head. Historically, it has always meant "turtle", later also symbolizing longevity and divination due to the use of turtle shells in ancient practices.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal 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)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这只动物是乌

Zhè zhī dòngwù shì wūguī.

This animal is a turtle.

我看见了一只小乌

Wǒ kànjiànle yī zhī xiǎo wūguī.

I saw a little turtle.

在石头上晒太阳。

Wūguī zài shítou shang shài tàiyáng.

The turtle is basking in the sun on a rock.

他养了一只宠物

Tā yǎngle yī zhī chǒngwù guī.

He keeps a pet turtle.

的壳非常坚硬。

Wūguī de ké fēicháng jiānyìng.

A turtle's shell is very hard.

这种的寿命很长。

Zhè zhǒng guī de shòumìng hěn cháng.

This species of turtle has a very long lifespan.

他戴着一副玳瑁壳眼镜。

Tā dàizhe yī fù dàimào guī ké yǎnjìng.

He is wearing a pair of tortoiseshell glasses.

车辆像乌一样缓慢移动。

Chēliàng xiàng wūguī yīyàng huǎnmàn yídòng.

The vehicles are moving as slowly as turtles.