Meaning: meeting; gathering; association; society; meet; se Origin: “会”是“脍”（音kuài，细切的肉或鱼）的本字，字的上部是盒盖，下面是食器，中间装的就是“脍”，但“会”后来多用于表示会议、集会的意思。 “会” is the original form of “脍”, which is pronounced “kuài” and means the cutting of meat or fish. The upper part is a lid, a bowl of food is below, Continue Reading

Structure: 更 + Adjective Meaning: To express “even more,” (as in “even more expensive,” “even more ridiculous,” “even more badass”), use 更 (gèng). It frequently comes before adjectives. Examples: 1. 不要 太 高兴，我们 还 有 更 多 的 工作。     Continue Reading

Structure : Subject + 能 + Verb + Object Meaning: 能 (néng) is another Chinese word that is often translated as “can.” However, it has a slightly different meaning than the others. 能 is used to express ability or possibility Continue Reading

Meaning: axe; 1/2 kilogram Origin: “斤”原指一种石斧，后来多用作重量单位名。一斤等于0.5 千克。 “斤” originally refered to a stone ax, and later came to be used as a unit of weight. One jin is equal to 1/2 kilogram. Words:    半斤八两    (bàn jīn bā liǎng): not Continue Reading

Meaning: to finish, to complete 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 Continue Reading

Meaning: the seventh of the Ten Heavenly Stems; age 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 Continue Reading

Meaning: old, used, former 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 Continue Reading

Meaning: side, other 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. Words:    旁门歪道     Continue Reading

Meaning: chestnut; to tremble/shiver Origin: 一棵树上长着很多带刺的果子，这就是“栗”树。后来假借为因恐惧或寒冷发抖的意思。 A chestnut tree full of barbed chestnuts is known as a “栗” tree. This word later was used to express “to tremble due to fear or coldness.” Words:     不寒而栗   (bùhán’érlì): cannot help but Continue Reading

Meaning: every; all; different; various 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 Continue Reading