巩 gǒng to bind
to bind; to guard; to strengthen; firm
How it came to be
Two hands closed round a shape, holding it fast. The full form puts leather underneath: a thing tied tight with hide, the strongest binding of the Bronze Age.
How it is used
- Bound morpheme appearing essentially only in 巩固 (gǒnggù) to consolidate/make firm - 巩固知识 (gǒnggù zhīshi) reinforce what you've learned, 巩固政权 (gǒnggù zhèngquán) consolidate power.
- 巩固 can be verb or adjective (firm/solid): 基础巩固 (jīchǔ gǒnggù) a solid foundation. Also the surname 巩 (Gǒng).