Definitions

guǎn (verb) to manage; to control; to be in charge of
guǎn (noun) pipe; tube

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. ⺮ represents the meaning and represents the sound. Originally a musical tube made of bamboo. The meaning "to manage" is a phonetic loan.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 管 is a phono-semantic compound. The bamboo radical 竹 (zhú) at the top provides the semantic category, while the lower component 官 (guān), meaning "official", gives the phonetic value. Originally, 管 referred to a bamboo wind instrument, then extended to mean any hollow tube or pipe. Since 官 also denotes a government administrator, the character developed secondary meanings related to administration, eventually becoming a common verb meaning to manage, control, or govern.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
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 Cao Wei (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Wu (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

图书馆。

Tā guǎn túshū guǎn.

He manages the library.

妈妈我的作业。

Māma guǎn wǒ de zuòyè.

Mom supervises my homework.

这个水需要修理。

Zhège shuǐguǎn xūyào xiūlǐ.

This water pipe needs repair.

天气如何,我们都去。

Bùguǎn tiānqì rúhé, wǒmen dōu qù.

No matter the weather, we will go.

公司理很严格。

Gōngsī guǎnlǐ hěn yángé.

The company management is very strict.

好你自己的事。

Nǐ guǎn hǎo nǐ zìjǐ de shì.

You mind your own business.

政府应该环境污染。

Zhèngfǔ yīnggāi guǎn huánjìng wūrǎn.

The government should manage environmental pollution.

他负责理整个项目。

Tā fùzé guǎnlǐ zhěnggè xiàngmù.

He is responsible for managing the entire project.