改
Meaning: to change, to correct Origin: 甲骨文中，“改”的样子是一个小孩跪着，旁边有一只手，拿着棍子打他，要他改正所犯的过错。所以字的本义是“改变”、“更正”。 On oracle bone inscriptions, “改” resembles a kneeling child being beaten by a handheld stick as a way of urging the child to correct his mistakes. The character’s original meaning is “to change”…
即
Meaning: to approach, even, immediate Origin: “即”是个会意字，字形的左边是一个盛食物的器皿，右边是一个跪坐着的人，面向食物，本义是“就食”。引申为“接近”、“靠近”。 A typical associative compound, the left part of “即” resembles a utensil used to hold food, while the right part is a kneeling…
品
Meaning: product, class, to tast Origin: “品”字的本义是“众多”，字形用三个器皿（“口”）表示类别很多。后来引申为“种类”、“品质”，再引申为“评定”等义。 The original meaning of “品” was “many.” It is composed of three utensils (“口”), which together mean “lots of categories.” That extended to…
的
Structure with the noun: Adjective + 的 + Noun Meaning: A very common way to modify nouns is to attach an adjective to them using 的 (de). Examples: 漂亮…
卜
Meaning: to predict, divination Origin: 古人用火在龟甲上烧出裂纹，用以预测吉凶，叫做“卜”，引申为“猜测”、“估计”。 People in ancient times practiced divination according to the cracks on burnt tortoise shells. This was called “卜.” The character’s meaning extended to mean…
福
Meaning: Blessing; happiness 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…
没有
Structure: Subject + 没 + 有 + Object Meaning: The verb 有 (yǒu) is negated differently from ordinary verbs.Nearly all verbs can be negated with 不. The verb 有 (yǒu)…
叫
Structure: Subject + 叫 + Name Meaning: The verb 叫 (jiào) can seem a little weird to beginners. So it gets its own grammar point!The verb 叫 means both “to…
