Chinese Character: 匠
1. Character Basics
Radical: 匚/fāng radical (方框儿)
Stroke Count: 6
Stroke Order:
2. Pronunciation
Pinyin: jiàng (fourth tone)
3. Meaning
craftsman, artisan, master, skilled worker
4. Common Words
- 工匠 (gōng jiàng) - craftsman, artisan
- 木匠 (mù jiàng) - carpenter
- 铁匠 (tiě jiàng) - blacksmith
- 匠心 (jiàng xīn) - ingenuity, craftsmanship
- 匠气 (jiàng qì) - artificial craftsmanship, overly elaborate style
- 能工巧匠 (néng gōng qiǎo jiàng) - skilled craftsmen, master artisans
5. Grammar & Usage
匠 is primarily used as a noun meaning "craftsman" or "artisan." It refers to someone who is skilled in a particular craft or trade. In modern Chinese, it is often used in compound words rather than alone.
匠 can be combined with other characters to form compound nouns that specify the type of craftsman, such as 木匠 (carpenter) and 铁匠 (blacksmith). These compounds clearly indicate the specific trade or skill of the artisan.
The character 匠 can also be used in more abstract terms, such as 匠心 (ingenuity), which refers to the creative and skillful thinking of a craftsman. This extended meaning is often used in discussions of art, design, and innovation.
Another common usage is in the idiom 能工巧匠 (néng gōng qiǎo jiàng), which means "skilled craftsmen" or "master artisans," emphasizing exceptional skill and craftsmanship.
6. Cultural Background
The concept of 匠 (craftsman) has a long and esteemed history in Chinese culture. For thousands of years, skilled artisans have been highly respected for their craftsmanship, which was seen as both a practical skill and an art form.
Traditional Chinese society had a well-developed system of craftsmanship, with guilds and apprenticeships that ensured the passing down of skills from generation to generation. Crafts such as pottery, woodworking, metalworking, and textiles reached极高的水平 of sophistication and artistry.
In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in traditional craftsmanship in China, with a focus on preserving and promoting 工匠精神 (gōng jiàng jīng shén), which translates to "craftsman spirit" or "artisanal spirit." This concept emphasizes dedication to one's craft, attention to detail, and the pursuit of excellence.
The character 匠 is composed of 匚 (fāng, square box) and 斤 (jīn, axe). This combination is thought to represent a worker using an axe within a defined space, symbolizing the precise and skilled work of a craftsman.
7. Example Sentence
句子 (jù zi): 这位木匠用他的匠心打造了一件精美的家具。
Pronunciation (pīn yīn): Zhè wèi mù jiàng yòng tā de jiàng xīn dǎ zào le yī jiàn jīng měi de jiā jù.
Translation (fān yì): This carpenter created a beautiful piece of furniture with his ingenuity.
8. Memory Tips
The character 匠 is composed of two parts: 匚 (fāng, square box) on the outside and 斤 (jīn, axe) on the inside. This combination represents a craftsman working within a defined space with tools.
To remember 匠, you can think of someone using an axe (斤) inside a workshop or box (匚) to create something with skill. This connects the visual components of the character with its meaning of a craftsman.
Another memory aid: Imagine a skilled worker (匠) using an axe (斤) to shape wood within a frame (匚). The pronunciation "jiàng" can be remembered by associating it with the similar-sounding English word "jang" or by connecting it to other characters with the same pronunciation.