Category: Chinese Grammar

Write 才(cái)(just) in Chinese character

才 (cái) Origin: 甲骨文中,“才”的横画表示地面,草木的嫩芽正从地下向上萌发,本义是草木最开始的样子,现有也有“才能”、“刚刚”的意思。On ancient oracle bone inscriptions, the horizontal stroke of “才” represented the ground and a plant sprouting through the soil. Its original meaning was the shape of a young plant, and today it also means “ability” and “just.”

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Write 各(gè)(every) in Chinese character

各(gè) Origin: 甲骨文中,“各”像一只脚从外面走到门口,字的本义是“来”、“到”,后来这个意思一般写作“格”,“各”的意思主要是“每个”。On ancient oracle bone inscriptions, “各” looks like a foot coming from the outside of a door. Its original meaning is “to come” and “to arrive,” which later was expressed in the character “格.” Rather, “各” mainly means “every.”

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Write 旁(páng)(side) in Chinese character

旁 (páng) Origin: “旁”的本义是“四面八方”。字的下部“方”表示“地方”,也表声;上部原是“凡”,表示“所有”、“一切”。
The original meaning of “旁” was “all directions.” The lower part is “方,” which means “place,” indicates pronunciation. The upper part used to be written as “凡,” which means “all” or “everything.”
Meaning:

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Chinese grammar:Yes-no questions with “ma”

The question particle 吗 (ma) is a very simple way to form questions in Chinese. By placing 吗 on the end of a statement, you convert it into a yes/no question. Surprisingly enough, these are questions that could be answered with yes or no in English. They're also known as polar questions or binary questions.

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Write 旧(jiù) (old) in Chinese character

旧(jiù) Origin: 本义是“鸺”(猫头鹰类)。甲骨文的字形像一只有着圆睁的眼睛和翘起的头羽的凶鸟,正蹲踞在巢里。后来假借为新旧的“旧”,本义就不存在了。
This character’s original meaning was “鸺,” a kind of owl. On oracle bone inscriptions, it looked like a fierce bird perched in a nest, its eyes open wide and the feathers on its head raised. Later, the meaning changed to “old.”

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Chinese grammar:Tag questions with “ma”

As well as yes / no questions, you can also form tag questions with 吗 (ma). Tag questions are quick questions that are tagged on the end of a sentence to ask for confirmation. In English, this is often done with "right?", or by adding the negative form of the verb phrase – e.g., "isn't it?".

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Write 庚(gēng)(age) in Chinese character

庚(gēng) Origin: “庚“的本义是“脱谷的农具”。字形是一个架状物,中间有一把上端开叉的打谷器。后多用作天干名。
This character originally meant “threshing tools.” It looks like the frame of a threshing device, the upper part of which was open. Later, it was used as a name of the Heavenly Stems.

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Write 毕(bì)(complete) in Chinese character

毕(bì) Origin: “毕”原指一种捕捉禽兽的带长柄的网,字上部的“田”是捕禽兽的地方。现在多用来指“完结”、“完全”。
The original version of “毕” resembled a long-handled net used to catch birds and beasts. The upper part was “田,” the place to catch the birds and beasts. Now it is usually used as “close” or “total.”

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