Definitions

qiāo (verb) to knock; to tap; to rap
qiāo (verb) to overcharge; to rip off

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "敲" is constructed from the semantic component "高" (gāo), which suggests height or elevation, combined with the phonetic and semantic component "攴" (pū), depicting a hand holding a stick or rod, indicative of an action involving striking. This structure originally conveyed the broad sense of hitting or beating, as in striking a drum or an object. Over time, its application became more refined and specific, predominantly settling on the meaning of knocking, such as rapping on a door, or by extension, the light tapping used in activities like typing. The character has maintained this core form and composition throughout its history, with its traditional and simplified representations being identical, allowing its conceptual origins to remain visually apparent in its modern usage.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

门。

Wǒ qiāo le qiāo mén.

I knocked on the door.

他轻轻地窗户。

Tā qīng qīng de qiāo chuānghu.

He gently taps on the window.

妈妈桌子叫我吃饭。

Māma qiāo zhuōzi jiào wǒ chīfàn.

Mom knocks on the table to call me to eat.

代码需要耐心。

Qiāo dàimǎ xūyào nàixīn.

Coding requires patience.

如果你不答应,他就诈你。

Rúguǒ nǐ bù dāyìng, tā jiù qiāozhà nǐ.

If you don't agree, he will extort you.

响警钟是必要的。

Qiāo xiǎng jǐngzhōng shì bìyào de.

It is necessary to sound the alarm.

着鼓,带领队伍前进。

Tā qiāo zhe gǔ, dàilǐng duìwǔ qiánjìn.

He beats the drum, leading the team forward.

在谈判中,对方试图定最终协议。

Zài tánpàn zhōng, duìfāng shìtú qiāodìng zuìzhōng xiéyì.

In the negotiation, the other party tried to finalize the final agreement.