江(jiāng)
古体的“江”字左边为“水”的象形,表明江与水相关,右边“工”起表示声音的作用。不过现代“江”和“工”的发音已经相差很远了。“江”原义专指长江,是专名,后来变为大河流的通称。
The left side of the ancient character “江” was the pictograph of “水” (water) which indicated “江”is related to “水”, and the right side “工” had the function of pronunciation. However, the current pronunciations of “江” and “工” vary quite drastically. Initially “江” referred to the Yangtze River, a proper term. Later, it became a general term of grand rivers.
large river; the Yangtze River
长江(chángjiāng):the Yangtze River
江水(jiāngshuǐ):river water
江边(jiāngbiān):by the river; the bank of river
江南(jiāngnán):regions south of the Yangtze River
江山(jiāngshān):rivers and mountains; land; landscape; country
Dàyǔ zhīhòu, jiāngshuǐ fànlàn.
Following heavy rains, the river was flooded.
Chóngqìng zuòluò zài Chángjiāng hé Jiālíngjiāng biān.
Chongqing is situated by the Yangtze River and Jialing River.
Zhèshì yízuò jùyǒu yìqiān qībǎi duō nián lìshǐ de jiāngnán gǔchéng.
This is a southern city with a history of over 1, 700 years.