Definitions

qiú (noun) ball; sphere; globe
qiú (noun) ball game; match

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 𤣩 represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character is a phono-semantic compound, with 𤣩 (the jade radical, often called 王旁) providing the meaning and giving the sound. Originally, it referred to a fine, sonorous jade that was often carved into spheres for ornaments or chimes. Over time, the material aspect faded, and the meaning shifted to the spherical shape itself. Now it denotes any round object, such as a ball, the Earth, or celestial bodies.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 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

我喜欢打篮

Wǒ xǐhuān dǎ lánqiú.

I like playing basketball.

比赛开始了。

Zúqiú bǐsài kāishǐ le.

The soccer game has started.

围绕太阳转。

Dìqiú wéirào tàiyáng zhuàn.

The Earth revolves around the sun.

他买了一个新排

Tā mǎi le yī gè xīn páiqiú.

He bought a new volleyball.

我们在体育馆打羽毛

Wǒmen zài tǐyùguǎn dǎ yǔmáoqiú.

We play badminton in the gym.

这个的颜色很鲜艳。

Zhège qiú de yánsè hěn xiānyàn.

The color of this ball is very bright.

她是一名优秀的网运动员。

Tā shì yī míng yōuxiù de wǎngqiú yùndòngyuán.

She is an excellent tennis player.

科学家们研究了地的气候变化。

Kēxuéjiā men yánjiū le dìqiú de qìhòu biànhuà.

Scientists have studied the climate change of the Earth.