pregnancy; sexagenary cycle combinations
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesnoun
pregnancy (in the fixed expression 身怀六甲)
literaryAlmost exclusively used in the set phrase 身怀六甲 (shēn huái liù jiǎ). This is a literary and polite way to refer to pregnancy.
She is six months pregnant and has difficulty moving around.
This pregnant woman is expecting and about to give birth.
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In ancient times, pregnancy was referred to as 'carrying the six jia'.
noun
the six Jia combinations in the sexagenary cycle; used for children's writing practice
archaicRefers specifically to the six combinations in the traditional Chinese calendar system that begin with Jia (甲): Jiazi (甲子), Jiayin (甲寅), Jiachen (甲辰), Jiawu (甲午), Jiashen (甲申), and Jiaxu (甲戌). Historically used as beginner material for learning to write due to the simple strokes.
In the past, schoolchildren often began practicing writing with the six Jia combinations.
Learning the six Jia was part of traditional elementary education.
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The six Jia include six stem-branch combinations such as Jiazi and Jiayin.