稽 jī to examine
to examine; to investigate
怎么记住“稽”: 禾 grain + 尤 especially + 旨 purpose = to examine. The inspector opens a sack of grain, especially the old one in the corner, because the purpose of her visit is to examine it.
部件结构
形声 · Meaning + sound
originally 𥝌 + 尤 + 旨
One part gives the meaning, the other gives the sound.
稽 = 禾 grain + 尤 especially + 旨 purpose
- 禾 grain shape only
- 尤 especially meaning
- 旨 purpose sound
The inspector opens a sack of grain, especially the old one in the corner, because the purpose of her visit is to examine it.
How it came to be
In the small seal form, a bent tree and the sign for especially give the meaning, and the lower right part gives the sound.
用法
- To check/investigate: 稽查 (jīchá) to inspect/audit, 稽核 (jīhé) to examine and verify, 无稽之谈 (wújī-zhītán) a groundless/absurd claim.
- But most learners meet it in 滑稽 (huájī): comical/funny/absurd: 样子很滑稽 (yàngzi hěn huájī) a comical appearance.