亢

kàng

亠 + 几

Definitions

kàng surname Kang; Kang, one of the 28 constellations

kàng high; overbearing; excessive

Etymology

Pictograph of a person with a line through their legs. Original meaning unclear.

About

The character 亢 (kàng) conveys highness, excess, arrogance, and the idea of reaching an extreme upper limit. Etymologically, it is a pictograph of a person with a line through their legs; its original meaning is unclear. In certain classical or medical contexts, it can refer to the throat or neck. Its extended meanings cover overbearing, haughty rigidity and states of overexcitement or hyperactivity, reflecting something stretched to its maximum physical or metaphorical capacity.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Shang dynasty (~1100 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 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)

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)

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

他的歌声很高亢。

Tā de gēshēng hěn gāokàng.

His singing voice is very high-pitched.

他因成功而亢奋。

Tā yīn chénggōng ér kàngfèn.

He is excited because of his success.

亢旱的天气让人担忧。

Kànghàn de tiānqì ràng rén dānyōu.

The severe drought weather makes people worried.

在高亢的音乐中，人们跳舞。

Zài gāokàng de yīnyuè zhōng, rénmen tiàowǔ.

People dance to the high-pitched music.

甲状腺功能亢进需要治疗。

Jiǎzhuàngxiàn gōngnéng kàngjìn xūyào zhìliáo.

Hyperthyroidism requires treatment.

他性格亢直，从不妥协。

Tā xìnggé kàngzhí, cóng bù tuǒxié.

He is upright and unyielding by nature, never compromising.

长期的亢奋状态对健康不利。

Chángqī de kàngfèn zhuàngtài duì jiànkāng bùlì.

A prolonged state of excitement is harmful to health.

科学家研究亢进现象的成因。

Kēxuéjiā yánjiū kàngjìn xiànxiàng de chéngyīn.

Scientists study the causes of hyperactivity phenomena.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 亠

Component: 几

Example Words