肱 (gōng) — upper arm (the part of the arm between the shoulder and elbow)

Definition

Literary/medical term for the upper arm, almost always seen as a bound morpheme in 现代汉语 — most learners will meet it in set phrases like 股肱 ('key aide') rather than standalone.

noun
upper arm (the part of the arm between the shoulder and elbow)
Measure word · 条
Easily confused

Examples

  • 肱，。
    Tā de gōng èr tóu jī lā shāng le, xū yào xiū xi.
    His biceps is strained and needs rest.
  • 肱。
    Yī shēng zài jiǎn chá wǒ de zuǒ gōng èr tóu jī shí fā xiàn le yí gè wèn tí.
    The doctor found a problem while examining my left biceps.
  • 肱。
    Tā shǒu bì shàng de gōng èr tóu jī fēi cháng qiáng zhuàng.
    The biceps on his arm are very strong.

Origin

Sound + meaning
六书liùshū
形声xíngshēng

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
⺼Written in full as肉ròumeat
Sound part声符shēngfú
厷
厷gōng肱gōng
Same sound today

肱 is built from ⺼ (meat) and 厷; 厷 gives the sound and is the original form.

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