楔
How to Say
How to Write
Meaning: wedge
💡 Imagine a 'wooden cut-in' (木 + 契) that wedges things tight.
Compounds
Character Story & Explanation
In a Beijing carpentry workshop, Master Li fits a 楔 (xiē, wedge) into a loose joint of a traditional Ming-style chair. The wedge, a small triangular piece of wood, is hammered gently to tighten the connection without nails. This character combines the radical 木 (wood) with 契 (carve/contract), symbolizing a wooden piece that 'cuts in' to secure. The concept mirrors the wedge's function in Chinese joinery: a simple yet precise tool that embodies harmony and durability in woodcraft.
Example Sentences
Common Compounds
Similar Characters — Don't Mix These Up
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