Learn a Chinese Character - 纲 | Outline; Principle; Key Link

1. Character Basics

Radical: 纟 (sī, silk thread)

Stroke Count: 7

Structure: Left-right structure, with 纟 (silk thread) on the left and 冈 (ridge) on the right

Stroke Order:

2. Pronunciation

Pinyin: Gāng

Tone: First tone (ā)

3. Meaning

Core Meaning: Outline; principle; key link; main rope

Detailed Meanings:

• Main rope; hawser; cable
• Key link; main point; essence
• Outline; program; guiding principle
• Class; category; main division

4. Common Words

• 纲领 (gānglǐng) - Outline; guiding principle

  这个文件包含了我们党的纲领。 (Zhè ge wénjiàn bāohán le wǒmen dǎng de gānglǐng.) - This document contains our party's guiding principles.

• 纲目 (gāngmù) - Outline and details; table of contents

  请先看一下这本书的纲目。 (Qǐng xiān kàn yīxià zhè běn shū de gāngmù.) - Please first look at the table of contents of this book.

• 纲要 (gāngyào) - Outline; summary

  他写了一份项目纲要供大家参考。 (Tā xiě le yī fèn xiàngmù gāngyào gōng dàjiā cānkǎo.) - He wrote a project outline for everyone's reference.

• 提纲 (tígāng) - Outline; sketch

  发言前，他准备了一份详细的提纲。 (Fāyán qián, tā zhǔnbèi le yī fèn xiángxì de tígāng.) - Before speaking, he prepared a detailed outline.

• 纲举目张 (gāngjǔ mùzhāng) - When the headrope of a fishing net is pulled up, all the mesh opens; get to the crux of the matter

  处理问题要纲举目张，抓住关键。 (Chǔlǐ wèntí yào gāngjǔ mùzhāng, zhuāzhù guānjiàn.) - When handling problems, we should get to the crux of the matter and grasp the key points.

5. Grammar & Usage

Part of Speech: Mainly used as a noun

Usage Patterns:

• As a noun referring to outlines or principles: 纲领 (outline), 纲目 (outline and details), 纲要 (summary)

  这个计划的纲领很清晰。 (Zhè ge jìhuà de gānglǐng hěn qīngxī.) - The outline of this plan is very clear.

• In idiomatic expressions: 纲举目张 (get to the crux of the matter), 提纲挈领 (grasp the key points)

  他的发言提纲挈领，很有启发性。 (Tā de fāyán tígāng qiè lǐng, hěn yǒu qǐfā xìng.) - His speech was concise and insightful, grasping the key points.

• Common collocations: 提纲 (outline), 大纲 (syllabus), 总纲 (general outline), 纲纪 (laws and discipline)

6. Cultural Background

The character "纲" (gāng) has profound cultural significance in Chinese civilization, particularly in relation to organization, order, and philosophical thought.

Key Cultural Aspects:

• Philosophical Significance: The concept of "纲" (main principle) is deeply rooted in Chinese philosophy, especially in Confucian thought. It represents the fundamental order and structure of things.
• Historical Usage: Historically, "纲" was used to refer to the main rope of a fishing net, which later evolved to metaphorically mean the essential or guiding principle of any system.
• Social Order: The term "三纲五常" (sān gāng wǔ cháng, Three Cardinal Guides and Five Constant Virtues) was a key concept in traditional Chinese social ethics, representing the fundamental relationships and moral principles in society.
• Literary Tradition: In Chinese literary tradition, creating a "纲" (outline) is considered an essential step in writing, reflecting the cultural emphasis on structure and organization.

7. Example Sentence

8. Memory Tips

1. Component Breakdown: The character 纲 (gāng) consists of 纟 (sī, silk thread) on the left and 冈 (gāng, ridge) on the right. Originally, it referred to a thick rope or cable made from silk threads, which later took on metaphorical meanings.

2. Visual Association: Imagine a strong rope (represented by 纟) that is used to organize or control something, which connects to the character's meaning of "main principle" or "outline."

3. Word Family: Learn related words together to reinforce memory:

• 纲领 (gānglǐng) - outline
• 纲目 (gāngmù) - outline and details
• 纲要 (gāngyào) - summary
• 提纲 (tígāng) - outline

4. Memory Phrase: "纲是纲要，纲举目张" (Gāng shì gāngyào, gāngjǔ mùzhāng) - "纲 means outline, and when the main rope is lifted, all the mesh opens." This phrase helps remember both the character and its core meanings and associated idiom.