About
The character 琢, meaning to carve or polish, derives from its semantic component 玉, indicating jade, and its phonetic component 豖, with its structure consistently reflecting this composition. Originally denoting the precise physical act of cutting and smoothing jade, the term was closely tied to the craft of creating ornamental objects from this valued material. Over time, its application expanded beyond literal craftsmanship to acquire a metaphorical dimension, referring to the refinement of abstract qualities such as literary expression, personal character, or technical skills. This shift from a concrete, material process to an abstract concept of improvement occurred gradually, with the character's form remaining unchanged, thereby preserving its etymological link to jade while accommodating a wider semantic field.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我在琢磨这件事。
工匠琢玉很精细。
我们需要琢磨新方法。
他整天琢磨如何改进。
这块玉石被琢成了艺术品。
琢磨问题需要耐心。
经过反复琢磨，他找到了答案。
在专家的精心琢磨下，这块宝石焕发光彩。