Learn to Write Chinese Characters with Video Tutorials
Watch the video of writing the Chinese character "甲", learn the correct stroke order (笔顺) of the character "甲", and master the standard way of writing the character "甲".
Free Printable Handwriting Practice with Stroke Order: 甲
Printable Writing Practice Worksheet of "甲" in Portrait Orientation (Tian Zi Ge)
"A" (in a sequence of examples involving "A", "B", "C", etc.) / 1st heavenly stem / 1st in order / armor
甲
[jiǎ]
名
1. The first of the Ten Celestial Stems, used as a term for first in sequence: 甲子 (Jiǎzǐ). 花甲 (huā jiǎ) indicates a person who is sixty years old.
2. In first place, surpassing all others: 甲等 (jiǎ děng).
3. A classification in the rankings of ancient imperial examination results: 一甲 (yī jiǎ) refers to being known as “进士及第” (jìnshì jídì); 二甲 (èr jiǎ) refers to “进士出身” (jìnshì chūshēn); 三甲 (sān jiǎ) refers to “同进士出身” (tóng jìnshì chūshēn).
4. Armor worn by ancient soldiers in battle, made from leather or metal plates: 盔甲 (kuījiǎ). 甲兵 (jiǎ bīng) and 甲士 (jiǎ shì) both refer to armored soldiers.
5. Modern protective gear made of metal: 甲板 (jiǎbǎn) (armor plate). 装甲车 (zhuāngjiǎ chē) (armored vehicle).
6. The hard shell on certain animals providing protection: 龟甲 (guījiǎ).
7. The keratinous hard shells on fingers or toes: 指甲 (zhǐjiǎ).
8. An old unit for household registration: 保甲 (bǎojiǎ). 甲长 (jiǎ zhǎng).
9. The outer shell of a plant's fruit: 甲坼 (jiǎ chè) (the outer layer cracking).
10. An ancient term similar to 肩胛 (jiān jiǎ), meaning shoulder blade.
动
1. To occupy first place; to rank at the top.
2. To put on armor.
形
First; superior (English: first).
名
**Base Meaning**: The seed coat worn by seeds after germination.
**Character Formation Method**: Pictographic; its small seal script form resembles the image of the seed coat splitting after grass or wood germinates.
1. Same as the base meaning ([En. skin]).
2. An early form of armor made from leather or metal. Referred also as "铠" ([En. armor]).
3. Weapons ([En. weapons]).
4. An armored person, also called a soldier ([En. soldier]).
5. The hard outer shell of animals ([En. shell]).
Example: 龟甲, 鳞甲 ([En. tortoise shell]).
6. The keratinous hard shells on fingers or toes ([En. nail]).
Example: 指甲, 趾甲 ([En. fingernail, toenail]).
7. An old unit for household registration ([En. A unit of civil administration]).
Example: 保甲; 甲首 (In the Yuan dynasty, twenty households constituted one unit, and in the Ming dynasty, ten households constituted one unit; the leader of a unit was called 甲长).
8. The first of the Ten Celestial Stems, used for dating years, months, and days ([En. the first of Ten Celestial Stems]).
9. Abbreviated term for the sixty-year cycle ([En. sixty years]).
Example: 年过花甲 ([En. to reach the age of seventy]).
10. A pronoun used to refer to an unnamed person or fictional character in literary works ([En. substitute word for an indefinite person]).
Example: 某甲与某乙 ([En. person A and person B]).
11. A surname.
动
1. To rank first; to be on top ([En. occupy first place]).
Example: 桂林山水甲天下 ([En. The scenery of Guilin excels all others]).
2. To wear armor ([En. put on armor]).
Example: 甲马 ([En. an armored warhorse]).
形
First; superior ([En. first]).
Example: 甲第 ([En. a superior residence; refers to a wealthy household]).
名
1. An animal name referring to 甲鱼, a type of turtle belonging to the class Reptilia, characterized by its turtle-like appearance, gray-black shell, with soft skin beneath. The underside is white or light yellow, with a long neck and stout limbs with thick webs. Most inhabit warm, tropical waters like lakes and marshes. The shell is rounded with soft edges; the meat is edible, and the shell can be used medicinally. Also referred to as "鳖".