渠 (qú) — (n.) canal, ditch, channel
Definition
A built waterway — canal or channel — typically for irrigation or drainage, dug to carry water over a distance. Like 河 it carries flowing water, but 渠 is man-made.
noun
(n.) canalditchchannel
Measure word · 条
Examples
- 渠。Nóng mín yòng qú lǐ de shuǐ jiāo dì.Farmers use water from the canal to irrigate the fields.
- 渠。Zhè tiáo qú yǐ jīng yòng le hěn duō nián le.This canal has been in use for many years.
- 渠。Tā men wā le yì tiáo xīn qú.They dug a new canal.
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.
Sound part声符shēngfú
榘
榘jǔ渠qú
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.
渠 pairs 水 (water) with 榘 (jǔ), which gives the sound.
Appears in
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