About
The character "伎", pronounced jì, is etymologically linked to the concept of skill or ability, a connection established through its structural composition which combines the person radical (亻) with the phonetic and semantic component "支" (zhī), the latter originally carrying connotations of a branch or support, thereby suggesting a person with a particular branch of expertise or a supporting talent. In early usage, it broadly denoted technical skill or artistry, but over time its application narrowed significantly, often referring specifically to female performers or singing and dancing girls, a meaning that carried a diminished social status. In contemporary Chinese, while that specific gendered and performative sense persists in historical or compound contexts, the character is more commonly encountered in neutral, skill-based words such as "伎俩" (jìliǎng), meaning a trick or ploy, reflecting a semantic shift back toward a more abstract notion of method or technique, albeit often with a cunning or deceptive nuance.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我识破了他的伎俩。
歌舞伎是一种日本戏剧。
他用卑鄙的伎俩赢了比赛。
伎艺表演吸引了众多观众。
那些骗子的伎俩终于被揭露了。
学习歌舞伎需要多年的训练。
尽管他使尽各种伎俩，还是失败了。
在商业竞争中，不正当的伎俩往往会导致法律后果。