契 qì deed
deed; bond; contract; to engrave
How it came to be
形声 · Meaning + sound
One part gives the meaning, the other gives the sound.
The Qin form puts the sign for carving above a person; the carving sign also gives the sound.
用法
- A pact/agreement and, figuratively, a meeting of minds: 契约 (qìyuē) contract, 默契 (mòqì) tacit understanding, 契机 (qìjī) a turning point/opportune moment.
- 默契 is the key nuance: a wordless rapport between people who click.
- 以此为契机 (yǐ cǐ wéi qìjī) = to take this as a springboard.