将军
jiāngjūn · HSK 6
general
⭐🗡️ jiāng-jūn sounds like John-June, the general who checkmates in June
将 means 'to lead' and 军 means 'army.' A jiāngjūn is literally the one who leads the army — a general. In Chinese chess, calling jiāngjūn means putting the opponent's general in check, hence 'checkmate.'
将 — 爿 (bed/plank) + 寸 (hand) + 月 (meat)
Originally depicted a hand (寸) holding meat (月) beside a table or altar (爿), suggesting offering meat at a ceremony — hence a leader or general who presides. The meaning extended to 'commander' and, as a function word, 'about to' or 'will'. The simplified form 将 streamlines 爿 into 丬.