窥 kuī to peep
to peep; to spy on; to watch
How to remember 窥: 穴 hole + 规 rules = to peep. Through a hole in the fence, two kids break the rules and crouch there to peep the neighbours' party.
Component breakdown
形声 · Meaning + sound
One part gives the meaning, the other gives the sound.
窥 = 穴 hole + 规 rules
- 穴 hole meaning
- 规 rules sound
- 夫 husband
- 二 two
- 人 person
- 见 see
- 夫 husband
Through a hole in the fence, two kids break the rules and crouch there to peep the neighbours' party.
How it came to be
The hole gives the meaning and the sign for rule the sound.
How it is used
- To peep/spy/pry: 窥探 (kuītàn) to spy on/pry into, 偷窥 (tōukuī) to peep, 窥视 (kuīshì) to watch furtively.
- 窥见 (kuījiàn) means to catch a glimpse of / infer: 管中窥豹 (guǎnzhōng-kuībào), glimpsing a leopard through a tube, means seeing only part of the whole. Often carries a covert, prying tone.