About
The character "桶" (tǒng), meaning "bucket" or "barrel", is constructed from the semantic component "木" (wood) on the left and the phonetic component "甬" (yǒng) on the right, a structure that has remained consistent in its traditional form as it was not subject to simplification. This composition directly indicates its original purpose as a vessel made from wood, a common material for such containers in ancient times. While its core meaning of a cylindrical container has persisted, the application of the term has broadened beyond its wooden origins to encompass objects of similar shape and function made from various materials, such as metal or plastic, reflecting changes in common manufacturing. The phonetic element "甬", which originally depicted a pathway or channel, may subtly contribute a sense of hollow capacity, though its primary role is to suggest pronunciation. Thus, the character's history is one of semantic stability in its central concept alongside a practical expansion in its referents, mirroring the evolution of the object it describes.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
这是一个水桶。
桶里装满了水。
他提着一桶油漆。
我们用桶接雨水。
垃圾桶需要清理了。
这个桶的容量很大。
工厂生产塑料桶。
他们把粮食装在桶里。