Definitions

jiè (verb) to warn; to admonish
jiè (verb) to guard against; to be careful of
jiè (verb) to give up; to quit; to abstain from
jiè (noun) ring (for finger)
jiè (noun) Buddhist precept

Etymology

Depicts two hands () holding a weapon () guarding against danger.

About

The character "戒" structurally integrates the component for weapon "戈" with the element representing two hands "廾", visually conveying the idea of holding a weapon in a defensive posture, which originally signified alertness or guarding against threats. Its early meanings centered on warning and military preparedness, but over time the term acquired more abstract applications, extending to notions of admonition and personal abstinence. This semantic expansion led to its adoption in ethical and religious domains, where it came to represent formal precepts or rules designed to regulate behavior, all while maintaining its fundamental association with caution and restraint.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
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 Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他已经烟了。

Tā yǐjīng jièyān le.

He has already quit smoking.

我决定酒了。

Wǒ juédìng jièjiǔ le.

I decided to quit drinking.

她戴着一枚指。

Tā dàizhe yī méi jièzhǐ.

She is wearing a ring.

他们备得很严。

Tāmen jièbèi de hěn yán.

They are guarding very strictly.

除坏习惯很难。

Jièchú huài xíguàn hěn nán.

It is hard to break bad habits.

他对陌生人很有心。

Tā duì mòshēngrén hěn yǒu jièxīn.

He is very wary of strangers.

医生建议他糖以改善健康。

Yīshēng jiànyì tā jiè táng yǐ gǎishàn jiànkāng.

The doctor advised him to quit sugar to improve his health.

在佛教中,律是修行的重要部分。

Zài fójiào zhōng, jièlǜ shì xiūxíng de zhòngyào bùfen.

In Buddhism, precepts are an important part of practice.