肯 (kěn) — to be willing, to consent

entries → 肯

TSUMUGU · A2 (est.) · 字

肯 character · A2 (est.)

肯＝月＋止

ㄎㄣˇ · kěn

verb — to be willing, to consent

字源 FORM — what the parts do

月義flesh, meat

止形the top — read two ways: 冎 (bone) worn down, or the phonetic 𠀾the meat clings between the bones

The good meat is what clings tight in the joints, between the bones (the top) and the flesh (月) — what holds fast. The old graph carries two tellings of that top: 冎 (bone) worn down to a 止 shape, or 𠀾 kěn lending the sound. From holding to a thing, to be willing, to consent: 肯定、肯不肯.

故事 STORY — a scene to remember it by

骨頭縫裡（上）那塊肉（月）咬得最緊——拽都拽不下來。

The bit of flesh (月) wedged in the joint (top) grips tightest — you can't pull it free.

字源記憶法

意 · Meanings

(本義)骨間肉— the flesh between the bones

→肯、願意— to be willing, to consent常用

⇒肯定— to affirm; certainly常用

(本義) original meaning · → ⇒ each arrow = one more step of extension