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济 is a phonosemantic compound and the simplified form of 濟. In both forms, the water radical 氵 (shuǐ) provides the meaning, while the phonetic element is 齐 (qí) in the simplified character and 齊 in the traditional. Originally, the character meant to cross a river or ferry people across water. Because ferrying people across dangerous rivers implies rescuing them, the meaning broadened to include providing relief and aid. This idea of relief and resource management later became central to its modern use in economic and financial terms, appearing in words like 经济 (economy) and 救济 (relief).
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
经济发展很重要。
救济灾民刻不容缓。
济南是山东省的省会。
这个项目需要更多资金才能办成。
医生以济世为怀。
公司致力于济困扶贫事业。
他始终怀有兼济天下的抱负。
这些措施能否有效地济事，还需实践检验。
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