革

gé

Definitions

gé (verb) to reform; to change

gé (noun) leather; animal hide

gé (verb) to remove; to dismiss

Etymology

Pictograph of animal hide laying flat.

About

革 originated as a pictograph of an animal hide stretched out flat, representing leather that has been processed and tanned. In contrast to 皮 (raw skin or fur), it denotes a material intentionally altered from its natural state. This sense of transformation gave rise to extended meanings: to remove from office, radically reform a system, or stage a political revolution.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Mid Warring States (~300 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical 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)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这个包包是皮革做的。

Zhè gè bāo bāo shì pí gé zuò de.

This bag is made of leather.

我们需要改革教育制度。

Wǒmen xūyào gǎigé jiàoyù zhìdù.

We need to reform the education system.

公司致力于技术革新。

Gōngsī zhìlì yú jìshù géxīn.

The company is committed to technological innovation.

工业革命改变了世界。

Gōngyè gémìng gǎibiàn le shìjiè.

The Industrial Revolution changed the world.

社会变革需要时间。

Shèhuì biàngé xūyào shíjiān.

Social transformation takes time.

他决心革除不良习惯。

Tā juéxīn géchú bùliáng xíguàn.

He is determined to eliminate bad habits.

经理因失误被革职了。

Jīnglǐ yīn shīwù bèi gézhí le.

The manager was dismissed due to mistakes.

环保材料的革新促进了可持续发展。

Huánbǎo cáiliào de géxīn cùjìn le kěchíxù fāzhǎn.

The innovation of environmentally friendly materials promotes sustainable development.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 革

Example Words