锲 (qiè): to carve

Meanings

1 to carve
2 to engrave
3 to chisel

Characters

锲

qiè

to carve; to engrave

Examples

锲而不舍，比喻做事坚持不懈。

Qièérbùshě, bǐyù zuòshì jiānchíbùxiè.

"Keep carving and never give up" means to persevere without slacking off.

学习一门语言需要锲而不舍的精神。

Xuéxí yī mén yǔyán xūyào qièérbùshě de jīngshén.

Studying a language requires a persevering attitude.

Tips

history

The phrase 锲而不舍 comes from Xunzi's essay on learning: keep chiselling and even metal and stone can be carved through. It is the standard way to praise persistence.

Components

radical

钅 jīn

metal

钅 is the metal radical 金 in its left-side form. Carving was done with a metal blade, so it gives 锲 its sense.

phonetic

契 qì

to engrave; contract

契 supplies the sound (qì shifted to qiè) and also reinforces the meaning, since 契 itself originally meant to carve a tally or contract.

Stroke Order

锲 qiè

Related Words

锲而不舍 qiè'ér-bùshě #40,909

to keep chiseling without giving up (idiom) / to persevere unflaggingly / to stick with it through to the end

勒 lè #2,081

to rein in / to compel; to force / to carve; to engrave / bridle; halter / to sketch the outline of

切 qiē HSK 4 #1,617

to cut; to slice / to carve / tangent (math)

镌镂 juānlòu

to engrave / to carve (especially in stone or metal)

镂 lòu

to engrave; to carve (in metal, jade, or wood) / hard steel (literary)

刻 kè HSK 2 #3,513

quarter hour / to carve / moment

片 piàn HSK 2 #693

thin piece; slice; flake / film; movie; TV play / to slice; to carve thin / partial; incomplete / measure word for slices, tablets, expanses, films, CDs

雕 diāo HSK 7-9 #11,958

to carve / to engrave / to sculpt

契 qì #10,484

contract / deed / to agree / to carve

琢 zhuó #52,229

to carve or polish (jade, stone) / to refine; to perfect