纲

綱

gāng

冈 + 纟

Definitions

gāng (noun) guiding principle; key point

gāng (noun) outline; program

gāng (noun) class (taxonomy)

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 纟 represents the meaning and 冈 represents the sound. Simplified form of 綱.

Semantic: 纟 Phonetic: 冈

About

The character 纲, traditional form 綱, is a phono-semantic compound. The silk radical 纟 provides the semantic field of textiles or ropes, while 冈 serves as the phonetic component. Its original meaning is the main rope of a fishing net, which a fisherman pulls to draw the whole net together. From this literal function, the sense extended metaphorically to mean a fundamental principle, essential outline, or overarching framework. This development highlights the concept of a central element that governs a complex structure.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我的提纲很清晰。

Wǒ de tí gāng hěn qīng xī.

My outline is very clear.

这是我们的行动纲领。

Zhè shì wǒmen de xíngdòng gānglǐng.

This is our program of action.

这本书的纲目很清楚。

Zhè běn shū de gāngmù hěn qīngchu.

The outline of this book is very clear.

他遵守社会的纲常。

Tā zūnshǒu shèhuì de gāngcháng.

He adheres to social moral principles.

请根据大纲准备演讲。

Qǐng gēnjù dàgāng zhǔnbèi yǎnjiǎng.

Please prepare the speech according to the outline.

项目的纲领文件已经下发。

Xiàngmù de gānglǐng wénjiàn yǐjīng xiàfā.

The project's program document has been distributed.

我们必须以这个纲领为指导方针。

Wǒmen bìxū yǐ zhège gānglǐng wéi zhǐdǎo fāngzhēn.

We must take this program as our guiding principle.

在整理资料时，先列出纲要是非常有效的方法。

Zài zhěnglǐ zīliào shí, xiān liè chū gāngyào shì fēicháng yǒuxiào de fāngfǎ.

When organizing materials, listing an outline first is a very effective method.

Related Characters

Component: 冈

Component: 纟

纲