About
The character "跋" is structured as a phono-semantic compound, combining the radical "足" meaning foot with the component "犮" which primarily signals pronunciation but also carries connotations of pulling or uprooting, thereby linking the character to concepts of movement and gait. Its early semantic focus was on the physical act of walking with difficulty, such as limping or traversing uneven ground, which naturally extended to describe arduous journeys over land. From this concrete foundation, the term acquired a literary application as a postscript appended to a text, metaphorically representing an additional path following the main body of work. Over time, the character also developed a figurative meaning to characterize domineering or overbearing behavior, possibly derived from the notion of an unsteady or forceful stride that disrupts balance. While its compositional form has remained consistent, the semantic range of "跋" illustrates a transition from literal physical descriptions to encompass both cultural and abstract connotations.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我们长途跋涉到达山顶。
这本书的题跋很有意义。
他的态度非常跋扈。
探险队跋涉在荒野中。
他们艰难地跋涉过山区。
作者在书后添加了跋。
这段历史是一部苦难的跋。
他的跋扈行为引起了大家的不满。