契 qì deed
deed; bond; contract
How it came to be
A row of notches, with a knife cutting them. Two sides cut matching notches into one stick and broke it. Each kept half, and the halves had to fit: that is the contract.
How it is used
- A pact/agreement and, figuratively, a meeting of minds: 契约 (qìyuē) contract, 默契 (mòqì) tacit understanding, 契机 (qìjī) a turning point/opportune moment.
- 默契 is the key nuance - a wordless rapport between people who click.
- 以此为契机 (yǐ cǐ wéi qìjī) = to take this as a springboard.