康

kāng

广 + 隶

Definitions

kāng (adjective) healthy; well

kāng (adjective) peaceful; prosperous

Etymology

Depicts sound coming from a gong (庚).

About

康 is built from 广 ('building') and a simplified form of 庚 ('gong'), with strokes that originally depicted sound. This composition evocative of a peaceful household with music gave the character its early sense of harmony. The unimpeded vibration also suggested open, unobstructed space, like broad roads that ease travel and trade, which extended the meaning to peace and prosperity. From there, 康 came to describe physical health, vitality, and a stable, flourishing society.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Shang dynasty (~1100 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Warring States (~400 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal etymology image

Seal Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Jin dynasty (266-316 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我们都要保持健康。

Wǒmen dōu yào bǎochí jiànkāng.

We all need to maintain good health.

他病后康复得很快。

Tā bìng hòu kāngfù dé hěn kuài.

He recovered very quickly after his illness.

这个社区有康乐中心。

Zhège shèqū yǒu kānglè zhōngxīn.

This community has a recreation center.

祝您身体健康，万事如意。

Zhù nín shēntǐ jiànkāng, wànshì rúyì.

I wish you good health and all the best.

小康生活是很多人的目标。

Xiǎokāng shēnghuó shì hěn duō rén de mùbiāo.

A moderately prosperous life is the goal of many people.

经过治疗，病人逐渐康复了。

Jīngguò zhìliáo, bìngrén zhújiàn kāngfù le.

After treatment, the patient gradually recovered.

康乃馨是一种美丽的花。

Kāngnǎixīn shì yī zhǒng měilì de huā.

Carnations are a kind of beautiful flower.

康泰保险公司提供多种服务。

Kāngtài bǎoxiǎn gōngsī tígōng duō zhǒng fúwù.

Kangtai Insurance Company provides various services.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 广

Component: 隶

Example Words