库 (kù) — warehouse, storehouse; (computing) library
Definition
库 (kù) is a bound noun meaning 'warehouse' or 'repository' — usually part of a compound (e.g. 仓库, 宝库) or a computing term (代码库 'code library'). 图书馆 is a full place (a library you visit); 库 names the storage itself.
noun
warehousestorehouse(computing) library
Measure word · 个
Easily confused
Examples
- 。Zhè ge cāng kù lǐ cún fàng le hěn duō liáng shi.This warehouse stores a lot of grain.
- 库。Chéng xù yuán cóng dài mǎ kù lǐ xià zài le yí gè xīn gōng jù.The programmer downloaded a new tool from the code library.
- 。Tā bǎ suǒ yǒu jiù wén jiàn dōu zhěng lǐ jìn le zī liào kù.He organized all the old files into the archive.
Origin
Sound + meaning六书liùshū
形声xíngshēngMost characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.
This origin belongs to the traditional form 庫; 库 is its simplified writing.
Sound part声符shēngfú
車
車jū庫kù
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.
The traditional form 庫 pairs 广 (building) with 車 (sound); the building part points to a storehouse. The simplified 库 is a later shorthand.
Appears in
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