借 jiè borrow
borrow; lend; make use of
How to remember 借: 亻 person + 昔 the old days = borrow. A young person from the new flat knocks next door, just like in the old days, to borrow a cup of sugar.
Component breakdown
借 = 亻 person + 昔 the old days
- 亻 person
- 昔 the old days
A young person from the new flat knocks next door, just like in the old days, to borrow a cup of sugar.
How it is used
- Two-way verb: both lend and borrow, direction set by context/preposition - 借我一支笔 (jiè wǒ yì zhī bǐ) lend me a pen, but 我跟他借钱 (wǒ gēn tā jiè qián) I borrow money from him.
- The 跟/向 someone 借 pattern = borrow FROM; giving someone something is 借给 (jiègěi) - 我借给他了 (wǒ jiègěi tā le) I lent it to him.
- Extended sense 'make use of / take advantage of an occasion' drives 借口 (jièkǒu) excuse, 借助 (jièzhù) draw support from, 借鉴 (jièjiàn) learn from another's example.
- 借条 (jiètiáo) is an IOU you write when borrowing; don't confuse with 收据 a receipt for money received.
Words with 借
Example sentences
- 我去图书馆借书。 Wǒ qù túshūguǎn jiè shū.I'm going to the library to borrow some books.