武器

• Pinyin: wǔ qì
• Hanzi breakdown: 武 = 止 (stop) + 戈 (halberd/weapon) — the martial ability to stop conflict; 器 = four 口 (mouths) + 犬 (dog) — a vessel or instrument

Meaning

Weapon; arms. Any tool or device used for fighting or warfare.

Covers all types of weapons from traditional (swords, spears) to modern (guns, missiles). Also used figuratively: 知识是最好的武器 (knowledge is the best weapon). Common in military, historical, and figurative contexts.

Examples

1. 博物馆里展出了很多古代武器。 The museum exhibited many ancient weapons.
2. 和平比武器更有力量。 Peace is more powerful than weapons.
3. 知识是人类最强大的武器。 Knowledge is humanity's most powerful weapon.

Usage Guide

Context: military, history, figurative

Tone: serious

Do Say

• 古代的武器主要是刀和剑。(Ancient weapons were mainly swords and blades.)
• 教育是对抗贫穷的最好武器。(Education is the best weapon against poverty.)

Don't Say

• 我用筷子当武器。(Be careful using 武器 for everyday objects — even as a joke, it can sound alarming in formal contexts.)

Origin & History

武 means 'military' or 'martial' (止 'stop' + 戈 'weapon' — the power to stop conflict) and 器 means 'tool' or 'instrument'. Together they mean 'tools of war'.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal