孔
kǒng
opening
At a glance · 孔

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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.

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

「孔」甲骨文从乙从子,象小儿食乳,本为通、甚。

What the sketch shows

孔 Object sketch

Origins & notes

「孔」本义为通、甚(很),引申孔穴、孔姓。

Structure

从乙、从子,会意字,本为通、甚,文言作「很」义(孔怀)。

At a glance

Pinyinkǒng
Radical子
Strokes4
UnicodeU+5B54
Character type象形
Theme状态

Six languages, one character

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

English opening opening, hole, orifice; great
Français très / grand Très, grand (particule). «孔怀兄弟» : chérir profondément ses frères.
Español muy / grande Muy, grande (partícula). «孔怀兄弟»: querer profundamente a los hermanos.
العربية جداً / كبير جداً، كبير (أداة). «孔怀兄弟»: محبّة الأخوة بعمق.
Русский весьма / большой Весьма, большой (частица). «孔怀兄弟»: глубоко любить братьев.

Common words

  • 孔kǒngvery
  • 孔子kǒng ziConfucius