武 wǔ military

源How it came to be

A dagger-axe with a footprint under it: somebody marching with a weapon. The walking makes it military. A soldier is a blade that goes where it is sent.

用How it is used

• Bound morpheme for "military, martial", classically paired against 文 wén ("civil, literary") - 文武双全 wénwǔ shuāngquán, "accomplished in both letters and arms", a common compliment.
• 武术 wǔshù is the general word for Chinese martial arts as a discipline/sport, while 武器 wǔqì is simply "weapon".
• 武侠 wǔxiá refers to the martial-heroes genre of novels/films (wuxia), a distinct cultural term worth knowing beyond the literal "martial" meaning.
• 武力 wǔlì "military/armed force" appears in political and historical contexts, e.g. 使用武力 shǐyòng wǔlì, "to use force".

字Characters built with 武

• 赋 tax

词Words with 武

• 武术wǔshùmilitary skill or techniqueHSK 5
• 武器wǔqìweaponHSK 6
• 核武器héwǔqìnuclear weaponHSK 9
• 武侠wǔxiámartial arts chivalryHSK 9
• 武力wǔlìmilitary forceHSK 9
• 武装wǔzhuāngarmsHSK 9

句Example sentences

• 他拿着武器。 Tā názhe wǔqì.He's carrying a weapon.