盍 (hé) - Why not & why don't

盍Tone 2

hé ｜ 10 strokes ｜ radical:

枫惠

盍 · hé

Why not;

why don't;

to gather;

to combine;

a cover or lid.

Why notwhy don'tto gather

Usage highlights

Why notWhy don't weTo gather togetherCover and vesselCombined effortMutual consultation

Synonyms

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • Why don't we go together?(盍往观之?)
  • Why not give it a try?(盍试为之?)
  • Let's gather our efforts (盍集众力).
  • The cover of the vessel (器之盍).

Collocations

  • Why not(盍不)
  • Why don't we(盍如)
  • To gather together(盍聚)
  • Cover and vessel(盍器)
  • Combined effort(盍力)
  • Mutual consultation(盍谋)

Idioms

  • Why not go together?(盍簪之欢)
  • Gathering of friends(盍朋之会)
  • Combined wisdom(盍智之谋)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Used in classical Chinese as an interrogative adverb meaning 'why not'.
  • Originally depicted a vessel with a cover, representing the idea of gathering or covering.
  • Appears in classical texts like the Analects and Book of Songs.

FAQ