哲 zhé wise
wise; sagacious; philosopher
How to remember 哲: 折 to break + 口 mouth = wise. When the grandkids break his favourite vase, Grandpa opens his mouth and only laughs, and everyone calls him wise.
Component breakdown
哲 = 折 to break + 口 mouth
- 折 to break
- 扌 hand
- 斤 catty
- 口 mouth
When the grandkids break his favourite vase, Grandpa opens his mouth and only laughs, and everyone calls him wise.
How it is used
- Bound character, essentially never stands alone in modern speech.
- Its main home is 哲学 (zhéxué) - philosophy, and 哲学家 (zhéxuéjiā) - philosopher.
- Also in 哲理 (zhélǐ) - a philosophical truth or insight, used for wise sayings.
- Formal, academic register throughout.