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.
Core Meaning
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.
Character Breakdown
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.”
Cultural Context and Significance
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.
Practical Usage in Modern China
As a Verb: To Carve/Engrave
This is the most literal usage. It's used when talking about carving wood, stone, seals, or even just scratching something onto a surface.
e.g., `在桌子上刻字 (zài zhuōzi shàng kè zì)` - to carve characters on a desk.
As a Measure Word: A Quarter of an Hour
This is extremely common in daily spoken Chinese when telling time. It's often quicker and more natural than saying “fifteen minutes” (十五分钟 shíwǔ fēnzhōng).
e.g., `我们还有一刻钟的时间 (wǒmen hái yǒu yí kè zhōng de shíjiān)` - We still have 15 minutes.
In Compound Words (Metaphorical Usage)
深刻 (shēnkè) - Deep, Profound: Something that leaves a “deeply carved” impression on your mind. (Positive/Neutral)
立刻 (lìkè) - Immediately: Literally “standing刻,” implying a specific, fixed moment in time to act. (Neutral)
刻薄 (kèbó) - Harsh, Mean: Describes words or a person's attitude that is “thinly carved” and sharp, cutting into others' feelings. (Negative)
刻苦 (kèkǔ) - Hardworking, Assiduous: Describes effort that is “harshly bitter,” showing a willingness to endure hardship for a goal. (Very Positive)
刻意 (kèyì) - Intentionally, Deliberately: An action done with a “carved idea” or specific purpose in mind. (Neutral, can be slightly negative depending on context)
English: In order to prepare for the college entrance exam, my older brother studies assiduously every day.
Analysis: 刻苦 (kèkǔ) is a highly praised trait. It implies enduring hardship (“harsh” and “bitter” conditions) to achieve a goal, which is a respected value in Chinese culture.
Example 4:
他说话尖酸刻薄，没有几个人喜欢他。
Pinyin: Tā shuōhuà jiānsuān kèbó, méiyǒu jǐ ge rén xǐhuān tā.
English: He speaks sarcastically and harshly; not many people like him.
Analysis: 刻薄 (kèbó) describes words that are sharp and “cutting,” intended to hurt. It's a very strong negative description of someone's character.
Example 5:
老板让你立刻去他的办公室。
Pinyin: Lǎobǎn ràng nǐ lìkè qù tā de bàngōngshì.
English: The boss wants you to go to his office immediately.
Analysis: 立刻 (lìkè) emphasizes urgency and immediacy. It's a more formal and slightly stronger alternative to “马上 (mǎshàng)”.
English: The rescue work is extremely urgent and brooks no delay; we must act at once.
Analysis: 刻不容缓 (kè bù róng huǎn) is a chengyu (idiom) meaning “not a moment can be spared.” It's a very formal and emphatic way to express extreme urgency.
Nuances and Common Mistakes
Time: Duration vs. Point in Time: A common mistake is confusing `一刻钟 (yí kè zhōng)` and `一点一刻 (yì diǎn yí kè)`.
`一刻钟` is a duration of 15 minutes. “I waited for 15 minutes.” (`我等了一刻钟。`)
`一点一刻` is a specific point in time, 1:15. “Let's meet at 1:15.” (`我们一点一刻见。`)
False Friends: “Harsh” vs. 刻薄 (kèbó)
While 刻薄 (kèbó) is translated as “harsh,” it almost exclusively refers to a person's words, attitude, or personality. You would not use it to describe harsh weather (`恶劣的天气 èliè de tiānqì`), a harsh texture (`粗糙的质地 cūcāo de zhìdì`), or a harsh punishment (`严厉的惩罚 yánlì de chéngfá`). 刻薄 is about being mean and cutting with words.
Positive vs. Negative Connotations: The meaning of 刻 changes dramatically based on the character it's paired with.
刻苦 (kèkǔ - hardworking) is highly positive.
刻薄 (kèbó - mean, harsh) is highly negative.
Learners must pay close attention to the full compound word, as 刻 by itself doesn't carry this positive or negative weight.
Related Terms and Concepts
* 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.