Definitions

(noun) flag; banner
(noun) administrative district (in Inner Mongolia)

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound.  represents the meaning and  represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 旗, meaning "flag", is structured with the semantic component 方, suggesting a square form or directional aspect, and the phonetic component 其, which provides pronunciation. Etymologically, it originated from terms for banners employed in military and ceremonial contexts to identify groups or convey signals. Over time, its meaning generalized from specific types of standards to encompass any cloth banner representing a nation, organization, or concept, as seen in compounds like 国旗 for national flag. The character's composition of 方 and 其 has remained consistent in its modern form.

Etymology Hide

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)
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 Cao Wei (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这是一面国

Zhè shì yī miàn guóqí.

This is a national flag.

在空中飘扬。

Hóngqí zài kōngzhōng piāoyáng.

The red flag is fluttering in the air.

我们升起了国

Wǒmen shēngqǐle guóqí.

We raised the national flag.

每天早上学校都升国

Měitiān zǎoshang xuéxiào dōu shēng guóqí.

Every morning, the school raises the national flag.

子上写着几个字。

Qízi shàng xiězhe jǐ gè zì.

There are several characters written on the flag.

运动员举着子进入会场。

Yùndòngyuán jǔzhe qízi jìnrù huìchǎng.

The athletes entered the venue holding flags.

他挥舞着子,为大家加油。

Tā huīwǔzhe qízi, wèi dàjiā jiāyóu.

He waved the flag to cheer for everyone.

在庆典中,五彩缤纷的帜迎风招展。

Zài qìngdiǎn zhōng, wǔcǎi bīnfēn de qízhì yíng fēng zhāozhǎn.

During the celebration, colorful banners flutter in the wind.