知识分子
zhīshìfènzǐ · HSK 7
intellectual
🎓 知识 (knowledge) + 分子 (member/element) = a member of the knowledge class = an intellectual
知 = to know, 识 = recognition/knowing, together 知识 = knowledge. 分子 literally means molecule but here means a member or element of a group. So a 知识分子 is a knowledge-member: an educated person or intellectual.
识 — speech radical 讠 + 只 zhī (phonetic)
识 is a semantic-phonetic compound. The speech radical 讠 (言) signals meaning related to words or knowing, while 只 hints at the sound. Originally written 識 with 戠, it meant 'to recognize' or 'know'; later it broadened to include knowledge and awareness.
分 — knife 刀 + eight 八 (split apart)
分 originally depicted a knife (刀) cutting something into two parts, shown by 八 above (which itself meant 'divide'). The core sense is 'to divide' or 'split', from which extended meanings like 'portion', 'minute', and 'part' developed. Pronounced fèn, it carries the sense of an allotted share.
子 — pictograph of a baby/child with arms out
子 began as a pictograph of a swaddled infant with a large head and outstretched arms, originally meaning 'baby' or 'child.' From there it broadened to 'son,' 'offspring,' and a respectful suffix for masters like 孔子 (Confucius). It also became one of the twelve earthly branches.