毂

轂

gū, gǔ

冖 + 士 + 殳 + 车

Definitions

gū used in 轂轆|毂辘[gū lu]

gǔ the hub of wheel

Etymology phono-semantic

wheel

Semantic: 车

About

The character 毂, originally written 轂 in traditional script, is a phono-semantic compound: the radical 车 (車) establishes its connection to vehicles, carts, and wheels. The traditional form's right side was a complex phonetic indicator, later simplified, yet the overall structure consistently signifies a vehicle part. It names the hub of a wheel, the central, solid piece into which spokes are inserted and through which the axle passes, enabling rotation. This central positioning gave rise to figurative senses like a hub of activity or a focal point of influence, although its core meaning remains firmly in mechanics and vehicle terminology.