掌

zhǎng

手 + 𫩠

Definitions

zhǎng (noun,verb) palm of the hand; to hold in one's hand

zhǎng (verb) to control; to manage; to be in charge of

zhǎng (verb) to slap

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 手 represents the meaning and 尚 represents the sound.

Semantic: 手 Phonetic: 尚

About

掌 is a phono-semantic compound with the semantic radical 手 (hand) at the bottom and the phonetic component 尚 (meaning to value) on top. Its original meaning refers to the palm of the hand or sole of the foot. From this anatomical base, the character extended metaphorically to mean to hold, control, or manage, reflecting the palm's role in grasping. Consequently, it is often used in administrative contexts to denote authority or stewardship over a domain.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Xin dynasty (9-23 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他拍了拍手掌。

Tā pāi le pāi shǒuzhǎng.

He clapped his hands.

掌心朝上放平。

Zhǎngxīn cháo shàng fàngpíng.

Place the palm facing up flat.

他掌握了基本技能。

Tā zhǎngwò le jīběn jìnéng.

He has mastered the basic skills.

船长亲自掌舵。

Chuánzhǎng qīnzì zhǎngduò.

The captain steers the ship personally.

他是公司的掌门人。

Tā shì gōngsī de zhǎngménrén.

He is the leader of the company.

掌上电脑很方便。

Zhǎngshàng diànnǎo hěn fāngbiàn.

The PDA is very convenient.

他现在掌权了。

Tā xiànzài zhǎngquán le.

He is in power now.

她掌管着整个部门的运营。

Tā zhǎngguǎn zhe zhěnggè bùmén de yùnyíng.

She is in charge of the entire department's operations.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 手

Component: 𫩠

掌