廓 (kuò) — (bound form) broad, wide; (bound form) to expand, to extend; (bound form) outline, contour

Definition

A literary bound form usually seen in set words like 轮廓 (outline) and 寥廓 (vast). Almost never used alone — pair it with 轮 or 寥 to form common nouns and adjectives.

bound form
broadwideto expandto extendoutlinecontour

Examples

  • 。
    Zhè fú huà de lún kuò hěn qīng xī.
    The outline of this painting is very clear.
  • 廓。
    Wǒ men xū yào kuò qīng shì shí cái néng zuò chū pàn duàn.
    We need to clarify the facts before we can make a judgment.
  • 寥廓,。
    Tiān kōng liáo kuò, lìng rén xīn kuàng shén yí.
    The sky is vast, making one feel relaxed and happy.

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
广广guǎngbroad; wide; extensive
Sound part声符shēngfú
郭
郭guō廓kuò
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

廓 pairs 广, which carries the sense of broad or wide, with 郭, which gives the sound.

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