Definitions

zhì (verb) to govern; to manage; to control
zhì (verb) to treat; to cure (disease)

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Originally referred to a river in Shandong province. The current meaning is a phonetic loan.

About

As a phono-semantic compound, 治 combines the water radical 氵 (shuǐ) on the left, indicating its semantic domain, with the component 台 (tái) on the right, providing its phonetic value. Its original meaning referred to the crucial work of regulating rivers, dredging channels, and controlling floods to protect farmland. This essential management of chaotic waterways was considered a fundamental test of leadership, which led the character's meaning to broaden from hydraulic engineering to general governance. Thus, 治 came to encompass the actions of administering a state, managing affairs, maintaining order, and treating illnesses.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
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)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

好了感冒。

Tā zhì hǎo le gǎnmào.

He cured his cold.

这种药能病。

Zhè zhǒng yào néng zhìbìng.

This medicine can cure diseases.

医生疗病人。

Yīshēng zhìliáo bìngrén.

The doctor treats patients.

城市的安很好。

Chéngshì de zhì'ān hěn hǎo.

The city's public security is very good.

政府理环境污染。

Zhèngfǔ zhìlǐ huánjìng wūrǎn.

The government manages environmental pollution.

古代中国有水的传说。

Gǔdài Zhōngguó yǒu zhìshuǐ de chuánshuō.

Ancient China has legends about flood control.

学态度严谨。

Tā zhìxué tàidu yánjǐn.

His attitude towards scholarly studies is rigorous.

科学家研究防疾病的新方法。

Kēxuéjiā yánjiū fángzhì jíbìng de xīn fāngfǎ.

Scientists research new methods for preventing and treating diseases.