堇
How to Say
How to Write
Meaning: clay
💡 Imagine '11 strokes' as 11 lumps of clay stacked into a pot.
Compounds
Character Story & Explanation
My excavations reveal 堇 (jǐn) as an ancient pictogram of a person bound in clay, symbolizing the raw material of pottery. Its radical 土 (earth) reinforces this. In early texts, it denoted the fine clay used for ceremonial vessels, linking to the character 勤 (diligent) via shared labor. This character is rare but foundational in understanding Chinese ceramic history.
Example Sentences
Common Compounds
Similar Characters — Don't Mix These Up
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