樵

qiáo

Rank #3386

Definitions

qiáo firewood; gather wood

Etymology

Wood 木 for burning 焦; 焦 also provides the pronunciation

About

The character "樵" derives from the semantic element for wood, "木", combined with the phonetic component "焦", which itself implies a state of being burnt or scorched, thus conceptually linking it to firewood as a combustible material. Originally signifying firewood itself, the term's meaning expanded over time to encompass the act of gathering wood and eventually the person engaged in this labor, solidifying its modern sense as a woodcutter. This evolution from denoting an object to representing an associated actor illustrates a common pathway in the semantic development of Chinese characters, while its structural integrity as a phono-semantic compound has been maintained throughout its historical usage, with the wood radical consistently defining its semantic field.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

那个樵夫很勤劳。

Nà gè qiáo fū hěn qín láo.

That woodcutter is very diligent.

樵夫上山砍柴。

Qiáo fū shàng shān kǎn chái.

The woodcutter goes up the mountain to chop wood.

清晨，樵夫去林中樵采。

Qīng chén, qiáo fū qù lín zhōng qiáo cǎi.

In the early morning, the woodcutter goes to the forest to gather firewood.

这位老樵夫以砍柴为生。

Zhè wèi lǎo qiáo fū yǐ kǎn chái wéi shēng.

This old woodcutter makes a living by chopping wood.

小时候，我常听樵夫唱山歌。

Xiǎo shí hòu, wǒ cháng tīng qiáo fū chàng shān gē.

When I was young, I often listened to woodcutters singing folk songs.

尽管山路崎岖，樵夫们仍每日上山。

Jǐn guǎn shān lù qí qū, qiáo fū men réng měi rì shàng shān.

Despite the rugged mountain path, woodcutters still go up the mountain every day.

在现代社会，樵夫这个职业已经很少见了。

Zài xiàn dài shè huì, qiáo fū zhè gè zhí yè yǐ jīng hěn shǎo jiàn le.

In modern society, the profession of woodcutter has become rare.

夕阳下，樵夫背着柴禾归家的身影显得格外孤独。

Xī yáng xià, qiáo fū bēi zhe chái hé guī jiā de shēn yǐng xiǎn dé gé wài gū dú.

Under the sunset, the figure of the woodcutter carrying firewood home appears particularly lonely.

Related Characters

Component: 木

Component: 焦

Components

木焦

樵