妾

qiè
#3,236 most
frequent character
concubine

Character breakdown

Source: Make Me a Hanzi.

妾 was drawn as a woman 女 with a tool above her; the top 立 is now empty and once was 辛, a chisel or torture tool. It first meant 'female criminal.' The meaning later grew to a humble female self-address, then servant, then concubine.

Drawn as: woman with tool overhead; chisel or torture tool

妾 as a component in other characters

sound4 characters

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