to weigh
English · to weigh
to weigh in a balance or on a scale
- 这箱货物有多重？我去约一下。Zhè xiāng huòwù yǒu duō zhòng? Wǒ qù yāo yī xià.How heavy is this box of goods? I'll go weigh it.
- 约好时间yuē hǎo shíjiānto arrange a scheduled time
Topology: Left-right · Strokes: 6 strokes
Writing Balance Rule: The left radical (纟) should be compressed slightly to the left, while the right component (勺) provides structural stability with its sweeping hook.
Simplification Logic: The traditional silk radical (絲) was simplified to 纟, and the right component remains compact.
Radical 纟 · Silk Radical (silk, threads, binding)
Semantic Clue (形旁): 纟 (indicates binding, tightening, or wrapping up an agreement or measurement)
Phonetic Clue (声旁): 勺 (original sound: sháo / yāo)
Silk thread (纟) combined with a ladle/measuring spoon (勺) to represent measuring out or weighing items carefully with cords.
- 纟 silk thread / bound together
- 勺 ladle / measure
Phonetic Family (形声字家族)
3· Phonetic Root: 约 (yāo)Origin: Originally combined silk threads (representing binding or contracting) with a phonetic and measuring element.
Semantic Evolution: Shifted from the physical act of weighing items with cords to broader meanings of making agreements, setting limits, and arranging appointments.
- Contracts in ancient China were often tied or bound with cords, linking the idea of silk threads to agreements.
You use fine silk threads (纟) attached to a measuring ladle (勺) to WEIGH (yāo) precious ingredients on a hanging scale.
yāoConfusing the weighing reading (yāo, 1st tone) with the much more common appointment/approximate reading (yuē, 4th tone).
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