哲 zhé wise
wise; sagacious; philosopher
怎么记住“哲”: 折 to break + 口 mouth = wise. When the grandkids break his favourite vase, Grandpa opens his mouth and only laughs, and everyone calls him wise.
部件结构
形声 · Meaning + sound
One part gives the meaning, the other gives the sound.
哲 = 折 to break + 口 mouth
- 折 to break sound
- 扌 hand
- 斤 catty
- 口 mouth meaning
When the grandkids break his favourite vase, Grandpa opens his mouth and only laughs, and everyone calls him wise.
How it came to be
In the small seal form, the mouth gives the meaning and the part above it the sound.
用法
- Bound character, essentially never stands alone in modern speech.
- Its main home is 哲学 (zhéxué), philosophy, and 哲学家 (zhéxuéjiā), philosopher.
- Also in 哲理 (zhélǐ): a philosophical truth or insight, used for wise sayings.
- Formal, academic register throughout.