拮
How to Say
How to Write
Meaning: antagonistic
💡 Think of a hand (扌) pinching pennies until they say 'gee' (吉) in pain.
Compounds
Character Story & Explanation
拮 (jié) combines the hand radical 扌 with 吉 (jí, auspicious). Its core meaning is 'antagonistic' or 'contentious,' often seen in 拮据 (jiéjū), meaning 'in financial straits'—literally 'hand struggling.' This reflects a Chinese worldview where hardship is a tangible, physical struggle against limited resources.
Example Sentences
Common Compounds
Similar Characters — Don't Mix These Up
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