骨 gǔ bone
bone; skeleton; frame; framework
How it came to be
A joint where two bones meet, with meat under it. The joint, not a long bone, because that is the part of a skeleton you can recognise.
How it is used
- Bone, and by extension a framework or backbone. 骨头 (gǔtou) bone, 骨骼 (gǔgé) the skeleton, 骨折 (gǔzhé) a fracture, 骨架 (gǔjià) a frame.
- Figurative character/spirit: 骨干 (gǔgàn) the backbone/core members of a team, 骨气 (gǔqì) moral backbone/integrity - 有骨气 (yǒu gǔqì) to have a spine. 刺骨 (cìgǔ) = piercing to the bone (刺骨的寒风).