恰

恰 icon

just, exactly

恰 is composed of the radical 心 (heart) and 合 (fit, together). 合 is a pictograph of a lidded container, where the lid must be appropriately sized to seal the contents, implying the idea of being just right or fitting. Thus, 合 carries the meaning of exactness or suitability. 恰 extends this to describe more abstract concepts, such as time, indicating something is precisely or appropriately timed. Whether things or events are just right or suitable often depends on a person’s mindset, as reflected by the inclusion of 心.

Vocabulary of 恰

  • 恰巧 (by coincidence)
  • 恰當 (appropriate)
  • 恰如 (just as if)

Related Characters: