嘉
jiā
excellent, praise
At a glance · 嘉

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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.

嘉 Evolution of the glyph
  1. 嘉 Object sketch
    Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seen
  2. 嘉 Oracle bone
    Oracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCE
  3. 嘉 Seal script
    Seal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCE
  4. 嘉 Clerical script
    Clerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CE
  5. 嘉 Regular script
    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.

小篆从壴(鼓)加声,形声字,本指美、善,引申为赞许。隶楷作「嘉」。

What the sketch shows

嘉 Object sketch

Origins & notes

「嘉」本指善美,引申为嘉许、吉庆。

Structure

形声字,壴(鼓)为意符,加为声符。

At a glance

Pinyinjiā
Radical口
Strokes14
UnicodeU+5609
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 excellent, praise Excellent, fine; to praise, commend.
Français excellent, louer Excellent, bon; louer, féliciter.
Español excelente, alabar Excelente, bueno; alabar, felicitar.
العربية جيّد، يمدح جيّد أو يمدح ويُثني.
Русский прекрасный, хвалить Прекрасный, добрый; хвалить, одобрять.

Common words

  • 嘉jiāfine
  • 嘉宾jiā bīnhonored guest