Meaning
琢 originally referred to the process of carving and polishing jade or precious stones. It describes careful, meticulous work to shape raw materials into refined objects. The character is most commonly seen in compound words and literary expressions, rarely used alone in modern spoken Chinese.
Usage
琢 appears primarily in formal or literary contexts and is almost always used in compounds rather than alone. The most common usage is in 琢磨 (zhuómó), meaning to ponder or polish. When referring to literal carving, it typically describes traditional craftsmanship with jade or stone.
Examples
- 01玉不琢，不成器。, .If jade is not polished, it cannot become a useful object. (A proverb meaning one must work hard to succeed.)
- 02这件作品经过工匠精心雕琢而成。.This piece was carefully carved and polished by craftsmen.
Common collocations
- 琢磨to ponder, to think over
- 雕琢to carve and polish
- 琢玉to carve jade
Origin
The character combines 玉 (jade) with 豕 (pig/animal), though the exact semantic connection is debated. It has long been associated with the careful craftsmanship required to work jade, one of the most valued materials in Chinese culture.