箭

• Pinyin: jiàn
• Hanzi breakdown: 箭 = 竹 (bamboo) + 前 (front), arrow made of bamboo

Meaning

Arrow; a projectile shot from a bow.

Refers to arrows used in archery. Also appears in idioms like 一箭双雕 (kill two birds with one stone) and 光阴似箭 (time flies like an arrow). Related to but distinct from 火箭 (rocket).

Examples

1. 古代战场上，弓箭是非常重要的远程武器。 On ancient battlefields, bows and arrows were very important ranged weapons.
2. 光阴似箭，转眼间孩子们都长大成人了。 Time flies like an arrow — in the blink of an eye, the children have all grown up.
3. 射箭运动需要高度的专注力和稳定的心态。 Archery requires a high level of concentration and a stable mindset.

Usage Guide

Context: archery, history, idioms

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 他一箭正中靶心。(He hit the bullseye with one arrow.)
• 一箭双雕，这个计划太妙了。(Kill two birds with one stone — this plan is brilliant.)

Don't Say

• 混淆箭和剑 (箭 is arrow, 剑 is sword — different weapons despite similar pronunciation)

Origin & History

Pictophonetic: 竹 (bamboo) + 前 (front/phonetic). Arrows were traditionally made from bamboo.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal