躬 (gōng) — (bound form) to bow, to bend forward (the body); (bound form) personally, oneself
Definition
Literary bound form meaning 'to bend forward' (as in 躬身) or 'personally' (as in 躬行). It only appears as part of set phrases — not used alone.
bound form
to bowto bend forward (the body)personallyoneself
Examples
- 躬。Tā xiàng lǎo shī jū le yí gè gōng.He bowed to the teacher.
- 躬。Tā gōng shēn xíng lǐ.He bowed and paid his respects.
- 躬。Tā gōng xíng shí jiàn.He practiced what he preached personally.
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.
躬 combines 身 (body) with 弓, which gives the sound. The body part fits meanings related to the body.
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