kè: 刻 - To Carve, A Quarter of an Hour, Harsh

Keywords: 刻, kè, what does ke mean in Chinese, carve in Chinese, engrave in Chinese, quarter of an hour Chinese, time in Chinese, 深刻, 立刻, 刻薄, 刻苦, Chinese character for carve

Summary: The Chinese character 刻 (kè) is a versatile term with meanings rooted in the physical act of “to carve” or “to engrave.” This core idea extends metaphorically to concepts like a deep impression (深刻 shēnkè), a harsh and “cutting” personality (刻薄 kèbó), and even a specific unit of time—a quarter of an hour—from when marks were carved on ancient clocks. Understanding 刻 (kè) unlocks a deeper appreciation for how physical actions shape abstract concepts in the Chinese language.

Pinyin (with tone marks): kè

Part of Speech: Verb, Measure Word, Adjective (in compounds)

HSK Level: HSK 3

Concise Definition: To carve or engrave; a fifteen-minute interval; harsh or severe.

In a Nutshell: At its heart, 刻 (kè) is about making a mark with a sharp tool. This single idea branches out in three main directions: the literal action of carving, the marking of time into 15-minute segments, and the figurative “cutting” nature of harsh words or diligent effort. Think of it as the lasting impact left by a sharp edge, whether on wood, a clock, your memory, or your feelings.

The character 刻 is a phono-semantic compound, meaning one part gives the meaning and the other gives the sound.

亥 (hài): This component, one of the twelve Earthly Branches, primarily provides the phonetic sound for 刻 (kè).

刂 (dāo): This radical on the right is a variant of 刀 (dāo), which means “knife” or “blade.” This is the semantic component, clearly indicating an action done with a knife.

Together, they form a character that means “to use a knife (刂) to make a mark,” which perfectly captures the core meaning of “to carve.”

The Art of the Permanent Mark: In Chinese culture, the act of carving is deeply tied to history and permanence. From intricate imperial seals (印章 yìnzhāng) that signified ultimate authority, to timeless poetry carved into stone steles (石碑 shíbēi) to be preserved for millennia, 刻 represents the desire to make something lasting. It's an act of deliberate creation and preservation. This contrasts with the Western emphasis on more ephemeral forms of media; the cultural weight of something “carved” in China implies it is meant to endure.

A Different Sense of Time: The use of 一刻 (yí kè) for a quarter of an hour is a fascinating glimpse into traditional Chinese timekeeping. Before modern clocks, time was often measured with devices like sundials or water clocks (clepsydra), which had marks—or 刻—to show the passage of time. While the West divides the hour into 60 minutes, the traditional Chinese system used these “carved” marks. Today, saying 三点一刻 (sān diǎn yí kè) for 3:15 is a living remnant of this history, coexisting with the modern system. It shows a more holistic, less granular-by-the-minute view of time.

* 深刻 (shēnkè) - A key compound word meaning “deep” or “profound,” using the “carve” meaning of 刻.

* 立刻 (lìkè) - A common synonym for “immediately,” often used in more formal contexts than 马上 (mǎshàng).

* 雕 (diāo) - To sculpt or carve. Often implies a more artistic or three-dimensional work than 刻, which can be simple engraving.

* 分钟 (fēnzhōng) - Minute. The standard modern unit of time, used alongside 刻.

* 刻薄 (kèbó) - A negative adjective for a mean or acrimonious personality, showcasing the “cutting” nature of 刻.

* 刻苦 (kèkǔ) - A positive adjective for being hardworking and assiduous, showing a willingness to endure “harshness” for a goal.

* 时刻 (shíkè) - A moment; a point in time.

* 刀 (dāo) - Knife. The radical and conceptual root of the character 刻.