About
The character 巧, structurally formed from the semantic component 工, indicating work or craftsmanship, and the phonetic element 丂, originally denoted manual skill or artisanal dexterity. Its meaning gradually extended beyond physical aptitude to encompass intellectual cleverness and inventive ingenuity, while simultaneously acquiring shades of artfulness or deceit when such proficiency was viewed as manipulative. In modern contexts, it retains this semantic range, referring both to admirable expertise, as in 巧妙 meaning ingenious, and to opportune circumstances, such as in 巧合 indicating a coincidence.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
这个主意很巧妙。
巧合的事情发生了。
她巧手编织毛衣。
巧妙的设计节省空间。
这次相遇纯属巧合。
他巧妙地避免了冲突。
没有巧手很难做细活。
巧合往往出乎意料之外。