Definitions
Buddhist hymn; gatha; Buddhist verse
forceful; martial
Etymology
About
The character 偈 combines the "person" radical 亻 on the left, indicating meaning, with the component 曷 (hé) on the right, providing its sound. Pronounced "jì", it phonetically represents the Sanskrit "gāthā", a rhythmic Buddhist hymn or verse used to encapsulate teachings. Pronounced "jié", it becomes an adjective in classical texts, describing movement that is rapid or forceful. Thus, its meaning shifts significantly depending on the reading.
Etymology Hide
