Definitions

kuī helmet

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "盔" is structured with the component "灰" above "皿", the latter indicating a container and pointing to its original meaning as a type of pot or bowl. Initially representing a vessel used for holding food or other items, the term gradually acquired the additional meaning of a helmet, a shift likely influenced by the functional and formal resemblance between an inverted pot and protective headgear. This semantic expansion solidified over time, so that "盔" now primarily denotes helmets in compounds such as "头盔" and "盔甲", while its earlier sense as a container persists in limited historical or dialectal usage.

Example Sentences Hide

他戴上了安全头

Tā dài shàng le ānquán tóukuī.

He put on the safety helmet.

骑士戴着沉重的甲。

Qíshì dài zhe chénzhòng de kuījiǎ.

The knight is wearing heavy armor.

消防员的头很坚固。

Xiāofángyuán de tóukuī hěn jiāngù.

The firefighter's helmet is very sturdy.

古代战士都穿戴甲。

Gǔdài zhànshì dōu chuāndài kuījiǎ.

Ancient warriors all wore armor.

为了安全必须戴头

Wèile ānquán bìxū dài tóukuī.

For safety, you must wear a helmet.

他的头在事故中保护了他。

Tā de tóukuī zài shìgù zhōng bǎohù le tā.

His helmet protected him in the accident.

这款新型头比旧款轻便。

Zhè kuǎn xīnxíng tóukuī bǐ jiù kuǎn qīngbiàn.

This new model helmet is lighter than the old one.

博物馆里陈列着古代的甲和武器。

Bówùguǎn lǐ chénliè zhe gǔdài de kuījiǎ hé wǔqì.

In the museum, ancient armor and weapons are displayed.