趣

qù

取 + 走

Definitions

qù (adjective) interesting; fun

qù (verb) to interest; to amuse

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 走 represents the meaning and 取 represents the sound.

Semantic: 走 Phonetic: 取

About

趣 is a phono-semantic compound that conveys interest, amusement, or a natural inclination towards an activity or topic. The left component 走 means 'to walk' or 'to run,' hinting at motion, while the right component 取 is the phonetic, contributing the sound. In its earliest usage, the character meant to rush or stride swiftly toward a specific destination. Over time, this literal forward motion became a metaphor for mental attraction, a shift from physically moving toward a place to being drawn mentally to something engaging. Eventually, the sense settled on the modern meaning of 'fun' and 'interest.'

Etymology Hide

Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这个故事很有趣。

Zhè ge gùshi hěn yǒuqù.

This story is very interesting.

我对足球感兴趣。

Wǒ duì zúqiú gǎn xìngqù.

I am interested in football.

旅行带来很多乐趣。

Lǚxíng dài lái hěn duō lèqù.

Travel brings a lot of pleasure.

他的谈话很有趣味。

Tā de tánhuà hěn yǒu qùwèi.

His conversation is very interesting.

孩子们在公园玩得很有趣。

Háizimen zài gōngyuán wán de hěn yǒuqù.

The children are playing very interestingly in the park.

学习历史可以增加生活趣味。

Xuéxí lìshǐ kěyǐ zēngjiā shēnghuó qùwèi.

Learning history can increase life's interest.

这部电影的剧情发展出人意料，十分有趣。

Zhè bù diànyǐng de jùqíng fāzhǎn chū rén yìliào, shífēn yǒuqù.

The plot development of this movie is unexpected and very interesting.

通过长期观察，他发现了自然界的许多趣事。

Tōngguò chángqī guānchá, tā fāxiànle zìránjiè de xǔduō qùshì.

Through long-term observation, he discovered many interesting things in nature.

Related Characters

Component: 取

Component: 走

趣