[[Characters]] #Characters \ #Objects-and-Machinery \ #Tools # 几 jǐ how many; a few, several ## Components [[几 (jī)]] ## Meaning The character 几 (jǐ) primarily means: 1. **A few, Some**: 几 (jǐ) - A few, some 2. **Small Table**: 几 (jǐ) - Small table For example: - 几个人 (jǐ gè rén) - A few people - 几本书 (jǐ běn shū) - A few books ## History The character 几 (jǐ) originated as a pictograph representing a low table used by ancient people to lean on while sitting on the ground. In seal script, 几 resembled a low table where various items could be placed, and people could sit, lie down, or lean on it. In ancient times, there was an official called "司几缝 (sī jǐ féng)" in the Zhou Dynasty, who was responsible for arranging banquets according to different occasions, identities, and statuses. "五几 (wǔ jǐ)" referred to the five kinds of ceremonial vessels used by ancient people, including jade, carved, red, lacquered, and plain. Nowadays, 几 has become a common piece of furniture in ordinary households. Originally, 几 looked like a low table, used by ancient people for leaning on while sitting. It later extended its meaning to refer to a small table. 几 is a radical character, and its meaning is related to support and furniture. The character 幾 (jǐ) was composed of the radicals 丝 (sī) meaning "fine" and 成 (chéng) meaning "to prevent," indicating the prevention of minor things, and its original meaning was to describe a subtle situation. 幾 has been simplified to 几. So, while the character originally represented a physical object (a table), it gradually took on the additional meaning of "a few" or "some" due to its similarity in appearance and usage. ## Evolution ### Oracular Script ![[几 jǐ ora.svg]] ### Bronze Script ![[几 jǐ bronce.svg]] ### Seal Script ![[几seal.svg]] ### Clerical Script ![[几 jǐ cle.svg]] ### Regular Script ![[几reg.svg]]