晷
How to Say
How to Write
Meaning: sundial
💡 Sun (日) + fault (咎): Sundial shows 'fault' if shadow is off due to clouds.
Compounds
Character Story & Explanation
晷 (guǐ) means 'sundial', an ancient timekeeping device that uses the sun's shadow. This character combines the radical 日 (sun) with 咎 (fault/calamity) as a phonetic. In Chinese culture, sundials were used before mechanical clocks, symbolizing the passage of time and natural cycles. Unlike Western sundials often ornate, Chinese sundials were simpler, sometimes portable, reflecting a practical approach to astronomy.
Example Sentences
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