About
The character "丁" originated as a pictograph representing the head of a nail, conveying ideas of solidity and a compact shape through its minimal form. Structurally, it consists of just two strokes, a horizontal line placed above a vertical one with a hook, creating an abstract depiction that suggests a nail's profile. From this concrete meaning, the character's usage expanded metaphorically to denote an adult male, drawing on associations of strength and reliability, which in turn led to its role in terms related to household registration and population. This semantic broadening also incorporated "丁" into the system of celestial stems as the fourth symbol, while its modern applications persist in diverse contexts, including botanical references and as a surname, demonstrating a continued evolution in meaning without significant alteration to its written form.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
小丁是我的朋友。
园丁照顾这些树。
我喜欢丁香的味道。
丁克家庭选择不要孩子。
丁字路口很容易迷路。
丁老师今天没来上课。
电脑系统安装了新补丁。
远处传来丁丁当当的声音。