Term
|
Definition
eight; 8
Ancient Chinese used tally marks, and 八’s shape may represent two hands with thumbs crossed (totaling 8 fingers); shaped as two matching lines in opposite, means to divide, derived from a number that can be continuously divided (八). |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
six; 6
a "ghost" from the movie "The 6th sense" |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
knife
in the shape of a meat chopper |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
to divide/separate
a part, fraction
divide/eight (ba) + knife (dao)
The character 分 visually encapsulates the act of cutting with a knife (刀) to create parts (八) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
once, formerly
already, ever
a steam (丷) from a dual-pot cooking vessel (the middle of 曾) filled with water (丷) and heated (曰) constantly, so that what once was a liquid already becomes "ephemeral" like a vapor |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
earth, dust, soil
Signifies a mound of earth or soil. Also came from the model of male penis made from earth. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
to increase, to add
to enhance
earth (土) accumulates additional layers (曾) thus increasing its size
增值 "added value", 增量 "increment"; 增强 "to strengthen" |
|
|
