聝 (guó) - To cut off the left ear of a & war trophy

聝Tone 2

guó ｜ 14 strokes ｜ radical:

枫惠

聝 · guó

To cut off the left ear of a slain enemy as proof of merit in battle;

war trophy;

military achievement.

To cut off the left ear of awar trophymilitary achievement.

Usage highlights

Cut off enemy earsRecord war achievementsPresent war trophiesCount enemy casualtiesMilitary merit systemWar trophy collection

Synonyms

  • 馘— Alternative form with same meaning of cutting enemy ears
  • 斩— To behead or kill in battle
  • 获— To capture or obtain in military context

Antonyms

  • 降— To surrender or capitulate
  • 和— Peace or reconciliation

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • Soldiers would collect ears as war trophies (聝耳).
  • Ancient military records documented enemy casualties by counting ears (记聝).
  • Warriors displayed severed ears to prove their valor (献聝).
  • The character appears in classical military texts (古兵书中的聝字).

Collocations

  • Cut off enemy ears(聝耳)
  • Record war achievements(记聝)
  • Present war trophies(献聝)
  • Count enemy casualties(计聝)
  • Military merit system(聝功)
  • War trophy collection(获聝)

Idioms

  • To collect ears as war trophies(取耳为聝)
  • Counting achievements by severed ears(以耳计功)
  • Presenting war spoils as proof(献聝示功)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originates from ancient Chinese military practice where soldiers would cut off left ears of slain enemies as proof of kills.
  • Documented in classical texts like 'Zuo Zhuan' as part of military reward systems.
  • Reflects the brutal but systematic approach to recording military achievements in ancient warfare.

FAQ