Phonosemantic compound. 工 represents the meaning and 丂 represents the sound.
Components
丂 Phonetic component
kǎo axe handle
obstruction of breath (qi) as it seeks release
View phonetic series →Notes
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Historical Evolution
巧
Seal
Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
巧
Seal
Shuowen (~100 AD)
巧
Clerical
Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
巧
Clerical
Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
巧
Clerical
Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
巧
Clerical
Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
巧
Clerical
Jin dynasty (266-420 AD)
巧
Regular
Modern
Chinese
巧 [qiǎo]
opportunely; coincidentally; as it happens; skillful; timely
Japanese
skilfulness; skillfulness; cleverness
Example Sentences
Japanese Names
巧 いさお
Isao given name
巧 こう
Kō female given name
巧 こうしょう
Kōshou unclassified name
巧 こうじ
Kōji unclassified name
巧 こうそう
Kōsou unclassified name
巧 さとし
Satoshi male given name
巧 たく
Taku male given name
巧 たくみ
Takumi female given namesurname
巧 たくむ
Takumu unclassified name
CHINESE WORDS (82)
巧克力 [qiǎokèlì] #1,612
chocolate (loanword)
技巧 [jìqiǎo] #2,840
skill
巧合 [qiǎohé] #3,107
coincidence
巧妙 [qiǎomiào] #9,817
ingenious
碰巧 [pèngqiǎo] #4,029
by chance
小巧 [xiǎoqiǎo] #16,601
small and exquisite
恰巧 [qiàqiǎo] #11,997
fortunately
轻巧 [qīngqiǎo] #16,935
dexterous
轻巧 [qīngqiǎo] #16,935
dexterous
精巧 [jīngqiǎo] #17,467
elaborate
72 more
items
JAPANESE WORDS (49)
⭐ 上手い [うまい] #3,055
skillful
⭐ 巧み [たくみ] #7,119
skillful
⭐ 巧妙 [こうみょう] #11,372
ingenious
⭐ 精巧 [せいこう] #15,047
elaborate
⭐ 利口 [りこう] #20,376
clever
⭐ 技巧 [ぎこう] #20,845
technique
悪巧み [わるだくみ] #24,417
wiles
お利口 [おりこう] #30,968
well-behaved (esp. of children and pets)
言葉巧み [ことばたくみ] #42,172
skillful words
口がうまい [くちがうまい] #51,703
honeymouthed
39 more
items
KOREAN WORDS (3)