琢 (zuó) - To carve, polish, or engrave jade & to refine or cultivate through effort.

琢Tone 2

zuó ｜ 12 strokes ｜ radical:

志

琢 · zuó

To carve, polish, or engrave jade;

to refine or cultivate through effort.

To carve, polish, or engrave jadeto refine or cultivate through effort.

Usage highlights

Carve jadePolish/refineJade carvingCarve and polishCarved jadeRefine one's character

Synonyms

  • 雕— carve, engrave
  • 刻— carve, engrave

Antonyms

  • 璞— uncarved jade, unrefined

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The artisan carved the jade (琢玉).
  • He polished his skills through diligent practice (琢磨 skills).
  • This jade carving is exquisite (玉琢 carving).

Collocations

  • Carve jade(琢玉)
  • Polish/refine(琢磨)
  • Jade carving(玉琢)
  • Carve and polish(雕琢)
  • Carved jade(琢成之玉)
  • Refine one's character(琢炼心性)

Idioms

  • Carve and polish jade and stone(玉琢成器)
  • Uncarved jade does not become a vessel(玉不琢，不成器)
  • Carved ice and polished snow(琢冰雕雪)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Derived from the process of working jade, a highly valued material in Chinese culture.
  • The character embodies the Confucian ideal of self-cultivation and refinement through effort.
  • Appears in the classic text 'The Three Character Classic': 'Jade uncut will not become a vessel' (玉不琢，不成器), emphasizing education's importance.

FAQ