Definitions

(literary) baroque pearl; irregular pearl

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Simplified form of .

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The traditional character "璣" is structured with the jade radical 玉 on the left and the component 幾 on the right, the latter primarily providing phonetic guidance, while the simplified form "玑" replaces 幾 with the simpler 几 while keeping the jade radical. Etymologically, the character originally denoted a specific kind of jade or pearl, as reflected in classical compounds like "珠玑" for pearls and gems. Over centuries, its application broadened beyond material objects to technical astronomical contexts, such as in the term "璇玑", which came to refer to components of an astrolabe or celestial mechanisms. This shift from a concrete precious stone to an abstract technical term represents a notable change in its semantic range, though the jade radical continues to anchor its core association with valued objects.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我看到了一些美丽的珠

Wǒ kàndào le yīxiē měilì de zhūjī.

I saw some beautiful pearls and gems.

这些珠的价值很高。

Zhèxiē zhūjī de jiàzhí hěn gāo.

The value of these pearls and gems is very high.

她收集了很多古代的珠

Tā shōují le hěnduō gǔdài de zhūjī.

She has collected many ancient pearls and gems.

博物馆展出了珍贵的珠

Bówùguǎn zhǎnchū le zhēnguì de zhūjī.

The museum exhibited precious pearls and gems.

是古代的天文仪器。

Xuánjī shì gǔdài de tiānwén yíqì.

The Xuanji is an ancient astronomical instrument.

他研究了璇的历史和用途。

Tā yánjiū le xuánjī de lìshǐ hé yòngtú.

He studied the history and use of the Xuanji.

这件文物上的衡图案很复杂。

Zhè jiàn wénwù shàng de jīhéng tú'àn hěn fùzá.

The Jiheng pattern on this cultural relic is very complex.

通过璇可以观测星空的变化。

Tōngguò xuánjī kěyǐ guāncè xīngkōng de biànhuà.

One can observe changes in the starry sky through the Xuanji.