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工具 (gōng jù) — tool; instrument; means (for achieving a goal)

Definition

工具 covers both a physical tool for doing work and a means or method for reaching a goal. Compared to 手段, it is more neutral and usually concrete; 手段 often implies a strategy or tactic, sometimes with a negative sense (a trick or ploy).

noun
toolinstrumentmeans (for achieving a goal)
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • 工具。
    Tā yòng zhè xiē gōng jù xiū chē.
    He uses these tools to repair the car.
  • 工具。
    Jiào yù shì gǎi biàn shè huì de gōng jù.
    Education is a means to change society.
  • 工具。
    Wǒ xū yào yí gè hǎo gōng jù lái wán chéng gōng zuò.
    I need a good tool to finish the job.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

工gōngwork
具jùimplement

“工” (work) and “具” (implement) form a thing used in work, a tool.

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The shape of 工 is a picture of a bladed tool used to plow ground or mark a border; some read it as a carpenter's square.

Open 工 →

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

具 pairs 廾 (two hands) with 鼎 (a cauldron), showing hands working with a cauldron to prepare food.

Open 具 →
Appears in
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