将 calligraphy

将jiāng (1th tone)

will; shall; to use; to take; to checkmate; just a short while ago; (introduces object of main verb, used in the same way as 把[ba3]); (bound form) a general; (literary) to command; to lead; (Chinese chess) general (on the black side, equivalent to a king in Western chess); to desire; to invite; to request

Closest English meanings

will·shall·general·lead·about to

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The Calligrapher — Wáng Xīzhī 王羲之

The 'Sage of Calligraphy'; his running script has set the standard for 1,700 years.

Eastern Jin calligrapher (303–361), master of running script/cursive script/regular script — the Sage of Calligraphy; his Orchid Pavilion Preface is the most celebrated work in the tradition, and nearly every later master traces lineage to his hand. Eastern Jin dynasty

Etymology & Meaning · 字义溯源

2 · The Character: 将 Jiāng (1st tone; also jiàng). The Shuowen Jiezi defines 將 as 「帥也。从寸，酱省声」 — to command, to lead; the hand (寸) at the reins. The Songs plead 「将子无怒，秋以为期」 (《诗经·卫风·氓》) — 'pray be not angry; keep autumn for our time', where 将 means 'please / lead'. The Changes say 「君子将有为也」 — 'the noble is about to act.' Qu Yuan writes 「老冉冉其将至兮」 (《离骚》) — 'old age slowly draws near.' So 将 carries 'lead / command' (将帅), 'will / about to' (将来), and 'please / tend' (将养). It is a caution character: as the particle 'will / about to' a lone 将 reads as a sentence cut short, waiting for its verb. Pair it — 将行 (about to depart), 将士 (officers and men), or 将心 (one's heart). Element tables disagree: most assign Fire, some Wood — (verify).

Cultural Story

将 shows a hand with a vessel, originally meaning to hold or lead. It became the word for a 将军 (general) who led troops, and for the future — 将来 (what is to come). A soldier would 将就 (make do) in the field, and armies of 将士 (officers and men) marched under seasoned 将领 (commanders).

Common words & phrases

  • 将来 future · in the future · time to come
  • 将军 general · commander · high-ranking officer
  • 将就 make do · put up with · manage
  • 即将 soon · about to · on the point of
  • 将士 officers and men · soldiers · officers and troops
  • 将领 general · commander · military leader

Read the story behind the character

In the modern world

Your 将军 (general, commander) in a chess app moves first; 将来 (in the future) you hope to retire early. The train is 即将 (about to) leave, so 将就 (make do) with a standing spot. 将士 (officers and men) in films inspire, and a good 将领 (military leader) earns loyalty. The word bends from battle to patience.

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