(jiāng) — (adverb) will, be going to; (preposition) used to move the object before the verb, equivalent to 把 but more formal

Definition

As an adverb 将 means 'will / be going to' in formal written Chinese — more literary than 要 or 会 for the future. As a preposition it works like 把 to move the object before the verb, but more formal.

adverb
willbe going to
preposition
used to move the object before the verb, equivalent to 把 but more formal

Examples

  • Míng tiān wǒ jiāng qù tú shū guǎn.
    I will go to the library tomorrow.
  • Qǐng jiāng zhè běn shū fàng zài zhuō zi shàng.
    Please put this book on the table.
  • Tā jiāng cān jiā míng tiān de huì yì.
    He will attend tomorrow's meeting.

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.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 將; 将 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
Written in full asròumeat
cùnhand
Sound part声符shēngfú
pánjiāng
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 將 combines 爿, which also supplies a sound and may show a small table, with ⺼ (meat) and 寸 (hand) to picture offering meat as tribute. The simplified 将 is a later shorthand.

Grammar

Browse more HSK 4 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.