Definitions

(noun) pavilion; tower
(noun) cabinet (in politics)
(noun) shelf; rack

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Simplified form of .

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "阁", derived from its traditional form "閣", structurally combines the door radical "門" with the phonetic element "各", initially referring to a side door or a secondary gate within a larger entrance. Over time, its meaning expanded beyond mere architectural features to denote elevated buildings such as pavilions, towers, and multi-storied structures used for storage, residence, or observation. This semantic development further extended into administrative contexts, where it came to represent a cabinet or council, as in the term "内阁", while in modern usage it commonly applies to spaces like attics or lofts. The simplified form "阁" maintains the phonetic component "各" but replaces the traditional radical "門" with its simplified variant "门".

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我家的楼很宽敞。

Wǒ jiā de gé lóu hěn kuān chang.

My home's attic is very spacious.

会议即将开始。

Nèi gé huì yì jí jiāng kāi shǐ.

The cabinet meeting is about to start.

下,这是您的包裹。

Gé xià, zhè shì nín de bāo guǒ.

Your Excellency, this is your package.

公园里有个漂亮的子。

Gōng yuán lǐ yǒu gè piào liang de gé zi.

There is a beautiful pavilion in the park.

的藏书非常丰富。

Shū gé de cáng shū fēi cháng fēng fù.

The library's collection is very rich.

这座楼的设计很有创意。

Zhè zuò gé lóu de shè jì hěn yǒu chuàng yì.

The design of this attic is very creative.

官员讨论了经济政策。

Nèi gé guān yuán tǎo lùn le jīng jì zhèng cè.

Cabinet officials discussed economic policies.

在历史文献中,这座楼被描述为重要的文化遗产。

Zài lì shǐ wén xiàn zhōng, zhè zuò gé lóu bèi miáo shù wéi zhòng yào de wén huà yí chǎn.

In historical documents, this attic is described as an important cultural heritage.