晷 (guǐ) - Sundial & time

晷Tone 3

guǐ ｜ 12 strokes ｜ radical:

枫惠

晷 · guǐ

Sundial;

time;

the shadow cast by a sundial;

a period of time.

Sundialtimethe shadow cast by a sundial

Usage highlights

SundialTo work day and nightA moment of timeSundial timeSundial shadowTime measurement

Synonyms

Antonyms

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The sundial (日晷) measures time by the sun's position.
  • He studied by the light of a candle at night (焚膏继晷).
  • We only have a short time (片刻之晷) to finish.
  • Ancient astronomers used the sundial (日晷仪) for timekeeping.

Collocations

  • Sundial(日晷)
  • To work day and night(焚膏继晷)
  • A moment of time(片晷)
  • Sundial time(晷刻)
  • Sundial shadow(晷影)
  • Time measurement(测晷)

Idioms

  • To burn the midnight oil(焚膏继晷)
  • The sundial's shadow moves(晷影移动)
  • Measuring time with a sundial(日晷测时)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Historically important in Chinese astronomy and timekeeping since ancient times.
  • Associated with scholarly dedication in the idiom 焚膏继晷, meaning to study/work day and night.
  • Represents the traditional Chinese understanding of time through natural phenomena.

FAQ