匠

jiàng

匚 + 斤

Definitions

jiàng (noun) craftsman; artisan

Etymology

About

匠 combines the outer enclosure 匚, meaning a box or carpenter's square, and the inner component 斤, an axe or adze, to visually suggest the tools of a woodworker. This combination gave rise to the original definition of a carpenter or an artisan skilled in woodworking. Over time, the meaning broadened beyond carpentry to cover any skilled craftsman, master artisan, or expert in a trade, and it often appears in compound words for professions like blacksmith and stonemason.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我哥哥是工匠。

Wǒ gēge shì gōngjiàng.

My older brother is a craftsman.

这个木匠手艺很好。

Zhège mùjiàng shǒuyì hěn hǎo.

This carpenter has excellent craftsmanship.

石匠在雕刻一块石头。

Shíjiàng zài diāokè yī kuài shítou.

The stonemason is carving a piece of stone.

鞋匠帮我修好了鞋子。

Xiéjiàng bāng wǒ xiū hǎo le xiézi.

The shoemaker helped me repair my shoes.

这位匠人制作了一把精美的椅子。

Zhè wèi jiàngrén zhìzuò le yī bǎ jīngměi de yǐzi.

This artisan made a beautiful chair.

工匠精神值得我们去学习。

Gōngjiàng jīngshén zhídé wǒmen qù xuéxí.

The craftsmanship spirit is worth learning from.

他的作品体现了独特的匠心。

Tā de zuòpǐn tǐxiàn le dútè de jiàngxīn.

His work embodies unique craftsmanship.

这位巨匠在艺术领域有着深远的影响。

Zhè wèi jùjiàng zài yìshù lǐngyù yǒu zhe shēnyuǎn de yǐngxiǎng.

This master has a profound influence in the field of art.

Related Characters

Component: 匚

Component: 斤

匠