踞 (jù): to squat; to crouch

Meanings

一只老虎盘踞在岩石上。

Yì zhī lǎohǔ pánjù zài yánshí shàng.

A tiger crouched on top of the rock.

城堡高踞在山脊上。

Chéngbǎo gāojù zài shānjǐ shàng.

The fortress sits high atop the mountain ridge.

usage

Common in 盘踞 (to occupy by force) and 雄踞 (to dominate a position). The core image is a body firmly planted, like an animal crouching to hold ground.

radical

足 zú

foot; leg

The foot radical (left-side form) drives the meaning: 踞 is about how one places the legs and body to squat or hold a position.

phonetic

居 jū

to dwell; reside

Gives the reading jù, and its sense of dwelling settles well with squatting to occupy a spot.

踞 jù