旧
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…
旁
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…
栗
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…
各
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”…
才
Meaning: ability; talent; just; only 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…
鄙
Meaning: vulgar; to despise Origin: “鄙”字原作“啚”。上面的方形表示人们的聚居地，下面的“ ”是仓廪。其本义是“边邑”。后多用于指“粗俗”、“轻视”。 The character “鄙” was originally written as “啚.” The upper square represents human settlements, and the lower “ ” referred to the granary.…
不
Structure: Verb + 不 + Verb Meaning: As well as tag questions with ma, tag questions can also be formed using 不 (bù). This is done with a positive negative…
巾
Meaning: a piece of cloth (as used for a towel, scarf, kerchief, etc.) Origin: “巾”的本义是“手巾”或“擦抹用布”，又是古代的一种头冠，例如汉末农民起义军头裹黄巾，称为“黄巾军”。 This character’s original meaning was “hand towel” or “rag.” In ancient times, “巾” was a…
