About
柄 is a phonosemantic compound, combining the semantic component 木 (wood) and the phonetic component 丙. The wood radical suggests that the objects originally named were often made of wood. Its primary meaning is the handle or hilt of a tool, weapon, or instrument (e.g., an axe or a knife), and by extension, the stem of a flower or leaf in botanical contexts. From the concrete act of grasping and controlling a tool, the sense broadened metaphorically to refer to power, authority, or a decisive leverage point in social and political affairs.
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Example Sentences Hide
这把伞的柄断了。
刀柄上刻有花纹。
别让人抓住你的把柄。
他的失误成了笑柄。
掌握权柄的人要负责任。
由于把柄落在对方手里，他不得不妥协。
那个腐败官员的权柄最终被剥夺了。
在历史上，许多统治者因滥用权柄而失去民心。
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