this has

zhī

This pictogram of a foot used to mean the beginning place. For awhile I translated its very common modern character, 之, as steps off from here for… although the more modern definitions are this, to go, and to sprout. (That makes me wonder if this isn’t a drawing of a plant?!)

But I would say that Dào translators most often interpret it as the possessive particle—it’s placed between two words to indicate that the following word is possessed by the previous word. Here’s an example albeit one mixing Chinese and English words: “cat zhī hat” would mean the hat belongs to the cat: the cat‘s hat.

To make their translations flowing, translators use pretty much every variation of this word. I really want to follow my rule of using the same translation every where for any given term, so I translate it as:

this has

Even though it’s shorter than my more complete, pictogram-oriented first-draft above, it’s still awkward. So, as I describe in the Rules and Exceptions tab, I sometimes use ‘s. I may change this in the future, but my effort steps off from here for… now. 🙂

Today’s post is short and sweet because tomorrow’s is on the cosmic side and may even wrap up this encompassing summary that Lâozî’s given us in the first chapter! We shall see. But for sure you’re going to find out that any internal logic in Chapter 1 hinges on our ability to use today’s word, zhī, with clarity.

Meanwhile, thank you for popping in here, being open to this new way of looking at The Way, and keeping me company. I’m enjoying the comments you’re sending to me. Keep ’em coming!