ZHIZHI 知止 · LEARN CHINESE DAILY
将
will; shall; general (jiàng)
jiāng
9 strokes · 爿 (bed/support) + 月 + 寸 — a hand presenting meat on an altar · HSK 3
Where 将 comes from
A hand offering meat on a stand: to present, to lead forward. Leading troops gave the general (jiàng); leading events forward gave the future marker 'will' (jiāng).
将 in Chinese culture
News-speak runs on 将: 会议将于明天举行 'the meeting will be held tomorrow'. Read jiàng it is the general in Chinese chess — checkmate is 将军 'general!'. One character, both the future and the commander.
Example
将来 jiānglái — future
他将来想当医生。
Tā jiānglái xiǎng dāng yīshēng.
He wants to be a doctor in the future.
How to remember it
The GENERAL leads forward — into what WILL come.
In Chinese chess, shouting 将军 jiāngjūn IS the word 'checkmate' — you literally announce 'General!'
Same sound, different tones
Words unlocked by 将
将来 jiānglái
future
将军 jiāngjūn
general; check!
Related characters
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