固

gù

古 + 囗

Definitions

gù (adjective) solid; firm; stable

gù (adverb) surely; indeed; of course

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 囗 represents the meaning and 古 represents the sound.

Semantic: 囗 Phonetic: 古

About

固 is a phono-semantic compound where 囗 (enclosure) provides the meaning and 古 (gǔ) the sound. The enclosure radical suggests a walled, protected space, directly conveying the core sense of something solid, firm, and secure. Physically, it describes robust objects or strong fortresses; by extension, it applies to abstract qualities like stubbornness, resoluteness, or firmly establishing a point. It also frequently serves as an adverb meaning "originally" or "undoubtedly".

Etymology Hide

Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这个盒子很坚固。

Zhège hézi hěn jiāngù.

This box is very sturdy.

他把照片固定在墙上。

Tā bǎ zhàopiàn gùdìng zài qiáng shàng.

He fixed the photo on the wall.

这个计划固然好，但需要时间。

Zhège jìhuà gùrán hǎo, dàn xūyào shíjiān.

This plan is admittedly good, but it requires time.

她的态度非常固执。

Tā de tàidù fēicháng gùzhí.

Her attitude is very stubborn.

我们必须巩固所学知识。

Wǒmen bìxū gǒnggù suǒ xué zhīshì.

We must consolidate the knowledge we have learned.

这种建筑结构十分坚固。

Zhè zhǒng jiànzhú jiégòu shífēn jiāngù.

This type of architectural structure is very sturdy.

尽管有分歧，他们的友谊很牢固。

Jǐnguǎn yǒu fēnqí, tāmen de yǒuyì hěn láogù.

Despite having differences, their friendship is very firm.

在工程设计中，安全性是固定要考虑的因素。

Zài gōngchéng shèjì zhōng, ānquán xìng shì gùdìng yào kǎolǜ de yīnsù.

In engineering design, safety is a fixed factor to consider.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 古

Component: 囗

固