Chinese word

井

Pronunciation

Pinyinjǐng

Meaning

  • nounwell

Example

院子里有口井。yuàn zi lǐ yǒu kǒu jǐng

There is a well in the yard.

Illustration for 井 (well)

More examples

他的姓是井，已经好几代了。tā de xìng shì jǐng yǐ jīng háo jǐ dài le

His surname is Jing, and it has been passed down for several generations.

Core concept

A vertical opening cut into the ground to reach water, with the same word also serving as a family name.

Common phrases

  • 井口jíng kǒu

    well opening

  • 井底jíng dǐ

    the bottom of a well

  • 抽井水chōu jíng shuǐ

    draw water from a well

Similar words

井盖jǐng gài: A metal or concrete cover that seals a well opening and prevents falls or pollution.
井口jíng kǒu: The opening of a well at ground level, used for drawing water.
井水jíng shuǐ: Groundwater collected in a well and sometimes used for drinking or household tasks.

Definition in Chinese

指在地面或地下为取水而凿成的竖向坑洞或其口，也用作姓氏。zhǐ zài dì miàn huò dì xià wèi qú shuǐ ér záo chéng de shù xiàng kēng dòng huò qí kǒu yě yòng zuò xìng shì

Word origin

井 (jǐng, "well") began as a picture of the cross-shaped frame around a water shaft, and it later developed a surname use.

Usage tips

  • Chinese commonly counts wells with the classifier 口 (kǒu, "mouth"), highlighting the open mouth of the shaft rather than treating it like an ordinary object.

Other meanings

  • Jingnoun

Related words

Word lists with this word