工具

• Pinyin: gōng jù
• Hanzi breakdown: 工 = pictograph of a tool; 具 = 目 (eye) + 八 (eight/divide) + a base — originally hands holding an implement

Meaning

Tool; instrument; implement. Any device or object used to carry out a particular function.

Covers both physical tools (hammer, wrench) and abstract tools (software, methods). Commonly used in compounds like 工具箱 (toolbox), 交通工具 (means of transport), 学习工具 (learning tool). Can also be used metaphorically.

Examples

1. 修理自行车需要一些专门的工具。 Repairing a bicycle requires some specialised tools.
2. 手机已经成了我们生活中最重要的工具。 The mobile phone has become the most important tool in our lives.
3. 请把工具放回原来的地方。 Please put the tools back where they were.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, work, technology

Tone: practical

Do Say

• 你有没有合适的工具？(Do you have the right tools?)
• 电脑是一种很有用的工具。(A computer is a very useful tool.)

Don't Say

• 他是老板的工具。(Calling a person 工具 implies they are being used or exploited — it is offensive. Avoid unless you deliberately mean this negative connotation.)

Origin & History

Compound of 工 (work) and 具 (implement/utensil). 具 originally depicted hands holding an object, meaning 'to possess' or 'implement.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal