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 — Wú Dàchéng 吴大澂

Qing scholar-official famed for refined seal script.

Qing calligrapher (), master of seal script — known for 金文书法家. Qing 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).

Where a Western reader can stand: Where a Western reader can stand: 'to command' — the general's hand at the reins; Wu Dacheng's own command in 1894 makes it biography. Honest caveat: 将 alone is a grammar trap — pair it; and his command ended in failure — weigh before wearing.

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.

Own this character

Purchase delivers the original SVG of this glyph, brushed by Wú Dàchéng 吴大澂, ready to place on skin, paper, or screen.

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