Definitions

(noun) drum
(verb) to drum; to beat
(verb) to rouse; to encourage
(verb) to bulge; to swell

Etymology

Depicts a drumstick held in the hand () beating on a drum ().

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "鼓" originated as a pictographic representation of a drum, with its left component depicting the instrument itself, often shown with ornamental tassels, and its right component originally illustrating a hand holding a drumstick in the act of striking. This structural composition inherently fused the noun, the drum as an object, with the associated verb, the action of beating it. Over time, this dual nature solidified, with "鼓" coming to signify both the percussion instrument and the act of playing it, thereby extending metaphorically to meanings such as to rouse, incite, or stimulate, reflecting the instrument's function in communication and ceremony. Its form has remained largely consistent, representing an integrated concept where the tool and its use are encapsulated within a single graphical form.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Shang dynasty (~1100 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
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 Late Spring and Autumn (~500 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 Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

声震天响。

Gǔ shēng zhèn tiān xiǎng.

The sound of drums shakes the sky.

他在练习打

Tā zài liànxí dǎ gǔ.

He is practicing playing the drum.

观众们热烈掌。

Guānzhòngmen rèliè gǔzhǎng.

The audience applauded warmly.

游行队伍敲着前进。

Yóuxíng duìwu qiāo zhe gǔ qiánjìn.

The parade marched forward while beating drums.

这个消息舞了所有人。

Zhège xiāoxi gǔwǔ le suǒyǒu rén.

This news inspired everyone.

他用言语动人们参与。

Tā yòng yányǔ gǔdòng rénmen cānyù.

He used words to incite people to participate.

老板励员工大胆创新。

Lǎobǎn gǔlì yuángōng dàdǎn chuàngxīn.

The boss encouraged the employees to innovate boldly.

在困境中他始终起勇气。

Zài kùnjìng zhōng tā shǐzhōng gǔ qǐ yǒngqì.

In difficult times, he always mustered up his courage.