几

Etymology & Components

The Chinese character 几 (jǐ) has a rich history and etymology. It is composed of two parts: 木 (mù), meaning "wood," and 戈 (gē), meaning "spear." The original meaning of 几 was "a small table or stand made of wood," which is still one of its primary meanings today.The character 几 has been used in Chinese for thousands of years, and its meaning has evolved over time. In ancient times, it was also used to refer to a variety of other objects, including:- A sacrificial altar- A musical instrument- A weapon- A unit of measurementThe character 几 is also used in a number of Chinese idioms and phrases, such as:- 一丝不苟 (yī sī bù gǒu): "meticulous attention to detail"- 不拘小节 (bù jū xiǎo jié): "not paying attention to small details"- 不知所措 (bù zhī suǒ cuò): "at a loss for what to do"The character 几 is a versatile and important character in the Chinese language, and its etymology reflects its long and varied history.