狙

jū

且 + 犭

Definitions

jū macaque; to spy; to lie in ambush

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 犭 represents the meaning and 且 represents the sound.

Semantic: 犭 Phonetic: 且

About

The character 狙 is a phono-semantic compound. Its semantic radical 犭 (animal) categorizes it within the animal kingdom, while the phonetic component 且 determines its pronunciation. Originally, 狙 referred to a type of monkey, likely a macaque, in ancient texts. Over time, its meaning shifted from this zoological definition to the action of lying in wait or observing secretly to launch a surprise attack. In modern usage, it is primarily recognized in military terminology for "sniping", as in the compound 狙击.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

狙击手隐藏在草丛中。

Jū jī shǒu yǐn cáng zài cǎo cóng zhōng.

The sniper hid in the grass.

敌方狙击手被成功清除。

Dí fāng jū jī shǒu bèi chéng gōng qīng chú.

The enemy sniper was successfully eliminated.

警察狙击手果断扣动了扳机。

Jǐng chá jū jī shǒu guǒ duàn kòu dòng le bān jī.

The police sniper decisively pulled the trigger.

特种部队狙击了一股逃窜的匪徒。

Tè zhǒng bù duì jū jī le yī gǔ táo cuàn de fěi tú.

The special forces sniped at a group of fleeing bandits.

他通过狙击镜冷静地观察着目标。

Tā tōng guò jū jī jìng lěng jìng dì guān chá zhe mù biāo.

He calmly observed the target through the sniper scope.

这名王牌狙击手拥有超远的射程记录。

Zhè míng wáng pái jū jī shǒu yōng yǒu chāo yuǎn de shè chéng jì lù.

This ace sniper holds a record for an extremely long-range shot.

在复杂的城市环境中狙击需要极高的技巧。

Zài fù zá de chéng shì huán jìng zhōng jū jī xū yào jí gāo de jì qiǎo.

Sniping in a complex urban environment requires extremely high skill.

情报显示，恐怖分子头目可能遭到远程狙杀。

Qíng bào xiǎn shì, kǒng bù fèn zǐ tóu mù kě néng zāo dào yuǎn chéng jū shā.

Intelligence indicates that the terrorist leader may have been killed by a long-range sniper shot.

Related Characters

Component: 且

Component: 犭

狙