器物 (qì wù) — implement, utensil, artifact

Definition

Formal word for everyday tools and crafted objects — containers, vessels, instruments, etc. Almost always appears in writing about archaeology, museums, or traditional crafts, not daily speech.

noun
implementutensilartifact
Measure word · 件

Examples

  • 器物。
    Bó wù guǎn lǐ chén liè zhe xǔ duō gǔ dài qì wù.
    The museum displays many ancient artifacts.
  • 器物。
    Zhè xiē qì wù dōu shì yòng qīng tóng zhù zào de.
    These implements are all cast from bronze.
  • 器物。
    Kǎo gǔ xué jiā zài yí zhǐ zhōng fā xiàn le yì pī táo zhì qì wù.
    Archaeologists discovered a batch of pottery utensils at the site.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

器qìimplement
物wùthing

器物 joins 器 (implement) and 物 (thing), referring to implements and objects.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

The origin of 器 is uncertain; one traditional account reads the whole shape as a scene of guarding over four vessels.

Open 器 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
牛牛niú
Sound part声符shēngfú
勿
勿wù物wù
Same sound today

物 puts 牛 beside 勿: 牛 gives the meaning, and 勿 gives the sound.

Open 物 →

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