Category: Chinese Grammar

干 gān
Origin: 甲骨文中“干”是用树枝制成的“叉”状武器，用它可以叉住野兽或者敌人的颈部，所以“干”的本义是一种原始武器，简化字以“干”代替“幹”、“乾”。
On oracle bones inscriptions, “干” was in the shape of a weapon made from a tree branch. People can use such weapons to catch wild beasts or stab an enemy in the neck; thus, the character’s original meaning was an aboriginal weapon. Simplified character uses the form “干” instead of “幹” or “乾.”

祭（jì） Origin:
“祭”的甲骨文字形是一只手拿着肉，放在祭台上进行拜祭。所以“祭”的意思是“杀牲畜来拜鬼神”。
On oracle bone inscriptions, “祭” resembles a hand holding meat and putting it onto an altar for worship. Thus, the meaning of “祭” is to kill livestock in order to worship gods and spirits.

君 jūn Origin: 君”的本义是“君主”，由“尹”和“口”组成，“尹”是一只手拿着表示权力的杖，“口”表示发号施令。
The original meaning of “君” is monarch, and it is comprised of “尹” and“口”. “尹” looks like a hand holding a stick, symbolizing power, and “口” means to issue orders.

福 fú Origin: 甲骨文“福”字是双手捧着一个大酒坛，在祭台（“示”）前求神赐福的样子，后来省略了手形，逐渐演变成现在的字形。
On oracle bone inscriptions, the character “福” was a pair of hands holding a large jar, symbolizing someone asking for blessing and fortune from god in front of altar (“示”); and later, it gradually evolved into the script we now see.

男 nán Origin： 这个字由“田”和“力”两部分组成，在田里耕作是古代男人的主要职责，因此用“田”和“力”来表示男人。
This character is comprised of “田” (field) and “力” (power). In ancient China, working in the fields was an important male responsibility, so “田” and “力” were combined to represent men.