Definitions

jiè (preposition,verb) between; to lie between
jiè (verb) to introduce
jiè (noun) armor; shell

Etymology

Depicts a person between two lines.

About

The character "介" derives from an early pictographic concept of a person adorned in protective armor, which established its foundational meanings of separation and boundary. Its structural form, though streamlined over time, continues to hint at this human figure with embellishments symbolizing a defensive layer. From this initial sense of a dividing or safeguarding element, the character's applications broadened to include the act of interposition or introduction, functioning as a linguistic tool for denoting mediation between entities. Subsequent semantic developments saw it adopted to represent hard-shelled creatures, drawing a parallel to armored protection, while also acquiring abstract connotations of mental concern or attentiveness, thereby transitioning from physical to psychological domains. This shift from a specific visual representation to a versatile carrier of multiple interrelated meanings illustrates the character's integration into various aspects of the language.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 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 Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

绍你自己。

Qǐng jièshào nǐ zìjǐ.

Please introduce yourself.

他向我绍了他的家庭。

Tā xiàng wǒ jièshào le tā de jiātíng.

He introduced his family to me.

我不意你的选择。

Wǒ bù jièyì nǐ de xuǎnzé.

I don't mind your choice.

政府入解决了问题。

Zhèngfǔ jièrù jiějué le wèntí.

The government intervened and solved the problem.

空气是声音的质。

Kōngqì shì shēngyīn de jièzhì.

Air is the medium for sound.

他的成绩乎优秀与良好之间。

Tā de chéngjī jièhū yōuxiù yǔ liánghǎo zhī jiān.

His grade is between excellent and good.

在会议上,他详细绍了新项目。

Zài huìyì shàng, tā xiángxì jièshào le xīn xiàngmù.

At the meeting, he introduced the new project in detail.

这种材料具有很好的电性能。

Zhè zhǒng cáiliào jùyǒu hěn hǎo de jièdiàn xìngnéng.

This material has good dielectric properties.