Definitions

zhuó (verb) to cut; carve; polish (gems)
zuó (verb) to polish; to deliberate

Etymology phono-semantic

jade

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 琢, which retains the same form in both traditional and simplified systems, is structured with the semantic component 王, indicating its association with jade, and the phonetic component 豖. Its core meaning has consistently related to the act of carving or cutting jade, directly derived from this compositional logic. Over time, this specific sense expanded into a more abstract and figurative meaning, applying to the careful refinement or polishing of objects, skills, or literary compositions, as seen in the compound 琢磨. This extended usage maintains a conceptual link to the meticulous work of a jade craftsman.

Etymology Hide

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

Example Sentences Hide

我在磨这件事。

Wǒ zài zhuómó zhè jiàn shì.

I am pondering this matter.

工匠玉很精细。

Gōngjiàng zhuó yù hěn jīngxì.

The craftsman carves jade very finely.

我们需要磨新方法。

Wǒmen xūyào zhuómó xīn fāngfǎ.

We need to ponder new methods.

他整天磨如何改进。

Tā zhěngtiān zhuómó rúhé gǎijìn.

He ponders all day how to improve.

这块玉石被成了艺术品。

Zhè kuài yùshí bèi zhuó chéngle yìshùpǐn.

This piece of jade was carved into an artwork.

磨问题需要耐心。

Zhuómó wèntí xūyào nàixīn.

Pondering problems requires patience.

经过反复磨,他找到了答案。

Jīngguò fǎnfù zhuómó, tā zhǎodào le dá'àn.

After repeated pondering, he found the answer.

在专家的精心磨下,这块宝石焕发光彩。

Zài zhuānjiā de jīngxīn zhuómó xià, zhè kuài bǎoshí huànfā guāngcǎi.

Under the expert's careful polishing, this gemstone radiates brilliance.