(jīng) — to pass through; to go through (a place, time, or experience); to endure; to withstand (often in 经得起/经不住)

Definition

经 (jīng) as a verb means 'to pass through' (a place or experience) and 'to endure' (as in 经得起). Don't confuse with the noun 经典 ('the classics') or 经度 ('longitude').

verb
to pass throughto go through (a place, time, or experience)to endureto withstand (often in 经得起/经不住)

Examples

  • Tā jīng lì guò yí cì hěn dà de shī bài.
    He has experienced a major failure.
  • Zhè zhǒng cái liào jīng de qǐ gāo wēn.
    This material can withstand high temperatures.
  • Huǒ chē jīng guò shàng hǎi.
    The train passes through Shanghai.

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 經; 经 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
Written in full assilk; thread
Sound part声符shēngfú
jīngjīng
Same sound today

The traditional form 經 combines 糹 (silk; thread) with 巠, which gives the sound.

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