Chinese Character: 箭
1. Character Basics
Radical: 竹/zhú radical (竹字头)
Stroke Count: 15
Stroke Order:
2. Pronunciation
Pinyin: jiàn (fourth tone)
3. Meaning
arrow
4. Common Words
- 箭头 (jiàn tóu) - arrowhead, arrow
- 射箭 (shè jiàn) - to shoot an arrow, archery
- 火箭 (huǒ jiàn) - rocket
- 弓箭 (gōng jiàn) - bow and arrow
- 箭头 (jiàn tóu) - cursor (on computer screen)
- 光阴似箭 (guāng yīn sì jiàn) - time flies like an arrow
5. Grammar & Usage
箭 is primarily used as a noun to refer to an arrow, a projectile shot from a bow. It can also be used metaphorically to describe things that are shaped like an arrow or move quickly like an arrow.
In compound words, 箭 is often combined with other characters to form words related to archery or things that resemble arrows. For example, 弓箭 (gōng jiàn) means "bow and arrow", and 箭头 (jiàn tóu) means "arrowhead" or "arrow tip".
The character 箭 is also used in modern contexts to refer to rockets, as in 火箭 (huǒ jiàn), which literally means "fire arrow". This reflects how traditional terms have been adapted to describe modern technology.
Additionally, 箭 appears in several Chinese idioms, such as 光阴似箭 (guāng yīn sì jiàn), which means "time flies like an arrow" and is used to express how quickly time passes.
6. Cultural Background
The character 箭 has a long history in Chinese culture, dating back to ancient times when archery was an important skill in warfare, hunting, and even as a form of sport and ritual.
In Chinese mythology and literature, the bow and arrow (弓箭) hold significant symbolic meaning. For example, the legendary archer Hou Yi (后羿) is said to have shot down nine suns to save humanity from scorching heat, a story that has been passed down for generations.
Archery was also one of the six arts (六艺) that Confucian scholars were expected to master, along with ritual, music, chariot driving, calligraphy, and mathematics. This highlights the cultural importance of archery in ancient Chinese society.
Today, while archery is no longer a primary means of warfare or hunting in China, it remains a popular sport and cultural activity. The character 箭 continues to be used in everyday language, often with metaphorical meanings related to speed, precision, and direction.
7. Example Sentence
句子 (jù zi): 他拉弓射箭，正中靶心。
Pronunciation (pīn yīn): Tā lā gōng shè jiàn, zhèng zhòng bǎ xīn.
Translation (fān yì): He drew his bow and shot an arrow, hitting the center of the target.
8. Memory Tips
The character 箭 consists of two parts: 竹 (zhú, bamboo) on the top and 前 (qián, front) on the bottom. You can remember it by thinking of "a bamboo (竹) projectile that goes in front (前) of you", which relates to its meaning of "arrow", as traditional arrows were often made with bamboo shafts.
Another way to remember: 箭 sounds like "jiàn" and is often associated with the phrase 射箭 (shè jiàn) meaning "to shoot an arrow". Imagine someone drawing a bow and releasing an arrow.
The radical 竹 (bamboo) on the top of the character indicates that it is related to bamboo, which fits with the historical use of bamboo in making arrows. The bottom part 前 (front) suggests the forward movement of an arrow when shot.