Definitions

(noun) carpenter's square; measuring tool
(noun) rule; regulation; standard

Etymology

Depicts a person (/) holding a tool (). also represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "矩" originates from the concept of a carpenter's square, an essential tool for ensuring precise right angles in traditional craftsmanship, with its structure integrating the component "矢", suggesting straightness or alignment, alongside "巨", which provides phonetic cues and semantic associations with measurement or scale. Initially referring strictly to the physical instrument, its meaning progressively broadened to encompass abstract notions of rules, standards, and normative conduct, reflecting a linguistic transition from tangible tool to metaphorical framework for order and correctness in both practical and societal domains.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
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)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Cao Wei (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

做人要懂规

Zuò rén yào dǒng guī ju.

One should understand rules in life.

这个图形是形。

Zhè gè tú xíng shì jǔ xíng.

This shape is a rectangle.

他画了一个形。

Tā huà le yī gè jǔ xíng.

He drew a rectangle.

学校有很多规

Xué xiào yǒu hěn duō guī ju.

The school has many rules.

数学里常用阵。

Shù xué lǐ cháng yòng jǔ zhèn.

Matrices are often used in mathematics.

工程师计算了力

Gōng chéng shī jì suàn le lì jǔ.

The engineer calculated the moment.

这个阵运算很复杂。

Zhè gè jǔ zhèn yùn suàn hěn fù zá.

This matrix operation is very complex.

物理学家用力分析旋转。

Wù lǐ xué jiā yòng lì jǔ fēn xī xuán zhuǎn.

Physicists use moment to analyze rotation.