卷 (juàn) — (noun) book volume; exam paper; roll or scroll; (classifier) for volumes, rolls, or bundles
Definition
As a noun/classifier here, 卷 covers paper-like things bound or rolled up: a book volume, an exam paper, or a roll/scroll of paper. Do not confuse with the verb 卷 (juǎn, HSK 4) meaning 'to roll up' or 'to sweep up'.
noun
book volumeexam paperroll or scroll
classifier
for volumesrollsor bundles
Measure word · 卷
Examples
- 卷。Zhè běn shū zǒng gòng yǒu sān juàn.This book has three volumes in total.
- 卷。Zhè cì kǎo shì de juàn bú tài nán.The exam paper this time wasn't too hard.
- 卷。Wǒ mǎi le yí juàn zhǐ.I bought a roll of paper.
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.
Meaning part形符xíngfú
卩卩jiékneeling person
Sound part声符shēngfú
𢍏
𢍏𢍏卷juàn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.
In 卷, 卩 shows a kneeling person, while 𢍏 gives the sound and may also suggest bending or rolling, as in a reel of books.
Appears in
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