Category: Chinese Grammar

保 (bǎo) Origin: 甲骨文的“保”字是一个大人手里抱着襁褓里的婴儿的形状。本义是“养育”、“抚养”，引申为“保护”、“保佑”等意思。
On oracle bone inscriptions, “保” looks like an adult holding a baby. Its original meaning is to raise, which then extended to protecting and blessing.

吉(jí) Origin: 神座（“口”）上面摆着举行隆重仪式时用的礼器——圭，表示有喜庆的事。后来圭形变成了“士”，意思就不明显了。“吉”的本义是好、幸运的。
Sacrificed vessels, or “圭,” would sit atop a sacred base, or “口,” during grand ceremonies. Hence, this character represents a happy thing. Later, “圭” changed into “士,” and its meaning became opaque. The original meaning of “吉” is good and lucky.

竞(jìng) Origin: 甲骨文“竞”字像两个头上带有刀的标志的奴隶在搏斗的情景，古代贵族经常强迫奴隶们角斗，以此取乐。“竞”的本义是“争逐”，现在常用来表示“比赛”、“竞争”。
On oracle bone inscriptions, “竞” resembles two slaves wrestling with knives attached to their heads. In ancient times, nobles often forced slaves to wrestle for fun. The character’s original meaning is to scramble; now, it is more often used to represent a match or competition.

告(gào) Origin: 甲骨文中“告”的字形是上面一个“牛”字，下面一个“口”字，合起来表示祭祀时，人们献上一头牛，并进行祷告的情景，后来，“告”的意思逐渐普通化，泛指“告诉”“表达”和“诉说”。
On ancient oracle bone inscriptions, “告” was composed of “牛” (cow) on top and “口” (mouth) on the bottom, together meaning that people sacrifice a cow and pray in a religious ceremony. Later, the meaning of “告” gradually became more general, and now refers to expressing and telling.

火（huǒ） Origin: 甲骨文“火”字像一团火的样子，是用轮廓线来表现的。金文以后就不太像了。“火”又是古时兵制单位，十人为“火”，也写作“伙”。On oracle bone inscriptions, “火” looks like the outline of a fire. That was not the case after it appeared on bronze inscriptions, as it not longer was a pictograph. “火” is also a unit in ancient military, and was comprised of ten people. It can also be written as “伙.”

必（bì）
Origin: 甲骨文“必”字像一把有长柄的水勺子，旁边有水滴。“必”是“柲”（bì,义为“柄”）的本字，现在多用于指“一定”、“必须”。
On oracle bones inscriptions, “必” looks likes a water spoon with a long handle and water droplets beside it. “必” is the original version of “柲,” and now is more used as “certain” or “must.”

禾（hé） Origin: 甲骨文的字形像一株已经成熟的庄稼，沉甸甸的谷穗把上端压弯了，向下低垂着。“禾”的本义是“谷子”，后引申为其他粮食作物。
On oracle bone inscriptions, “禾” looks like crops ready for harvest, the heavy ears weighing the stalk down. The original meaning is millet, which then extended to other crops.