功 gōng — merit, achievement · English

功

gōng

merit, achievement

At a glance · 功

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Evolution of the glyph

Five stages, from a sketch of the real object to regular script — tap a stage, drag the timeline, or play the animation.

Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seen
Oracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCE
Seal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCE
Clerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CE
Regular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE

Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seenOracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCESeal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCEClerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CERegular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE

⚠ Some ancient forms are not attested：oracle bone form、seal script form。No excavated oracle bone / seal artifact is attested for this character yet; we leave it blank rather than fabricate.

小篆从力工声，形声字，以力建功。隶楷作「功」。

What the sketch shows

Origins & notes

「功」本指事之功效，引申为功绩、功劳。

Structure

形声字，力为意符，工为声符。

At a glance

Pinyingōng

Radical力

Strokes5

UnicodeU+529F

Character type形声

Theme德行

Six languages, one character

Each page offers hreflang versions; switching language keeps the glyphs and meanings aligned.

English merit, achievement Merit, achievement, or effective work.

Français mérite, exploit Mérite, exploit ou travail efficace.

Español mérito, logro Mérito, logro o trabajo eficaz.

العربية فضل، إنجاز فضل أو إنجاز أو عمل مجدٍ.

Русский заслуга, достижение Заслуга, достижение или эффективная работа.

Common words

成功chéng gōngsuccess
功劳gōng láomerit

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