Meaning
盾 originally refers to a defensive weapon - a shield used in ancient warfare to block attacks. The character depicts the shape of a traditional shield. In modern usage, it also refers to certain currency units in various countries, such as the Dutch guilder or Portuguese escudo.
Usage
In contemporary Chinese, 盾 most commonly appears in compound words related to defense or protection, such as 盾牌 (shield) or metaphorically in terms like 矛盾 (contradiction, literally spear and shield). When referring to currency, it's typically used in formal contexts or historical discussions. The standalone character is less common in everyday speech than its compounds.
Examples
- 01古代士兵用盾来保护自己不受敌人的攻击。.Ancient soldiers used shields to protect themselves from enemy attacks.
- 02他的说法前后矛盾，让人难以相信。, .His statements are contradictory, making them hard to believe.
Measure words
- 面一面盾
- 个一个盾牌
Common collocations
- 盾牌shield
- 矛盾contradiction
- 自相矛盾self-contradictory
Antonyms
Origin
The character 盾 is a pictograph depicting a shield. The top portion represents the protective surface while the bottom shows the handle or base of the shield.