About
The character "儒" emerged in early Chinese literature as a term for individuals characterized by scholarly refinement and association with ritual expertise and teaching. Its structural formation is that of a phono-semantic compound, combining the meaning-indicating radical "人", meaning person, with the component "需", which primarily served as a phonetic marker but also carried connotations of softness or requirement. Initially denoting a broad category of learned persons, the meaning of "儒" gradually specialized over time to refer specifically to the followers and doctrines of Confucius, crystallizing into the designation for the Ru school of thought, or Confucianism, which centers on ethical principles and cultivated behavior. This transformation in significance mirrors the character's adaptation within the evolving landscape of Chinese philosophy and social ideology.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
他学习儒学。
儒家思想很深刻。
这位儒生很用功。
儒雅是一种风度。
儒商注重诚信经营。
儒学在中国历史上很重要。
儒将既能文也能武。
儒家文化对东亚社会有深远影响。