Definitions

shū (noun) father's younger brother; uncle
shū (noun) husband's younger brother

Etymology

Depicts holding a sharp wooden stick () in the hand () to dig up dirt. Based on the original meaning "to dig". The current meaning is a phonetic loan.

About

The character "叔" derives from an early form combining the component "尗", associated with small grains or beans, and the hand radical "又", originally representing the action of picking or gathering. In its current structure, the left portion "尗" and the right hand "又" remain, though the connection to its literal roots has become opaque. The meaning evolved from denoting the act of harvesting or collecting to specifically indicating a younger brother among older siblings, and later to the familial title for a father's younger brother, which became its primary sense in classical texts.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

帮我学习。

Shūshu bāng wǒ xuéxí.

Uncle helps me study.

是老师。

Wǒ shūshu shì lǎoshī.

My uncle is a teacher.

父从上海回来。

Shūfù cóng Shànghǎi huílái.

Uncle returned from Shanghai.

昨天送了我礼物。

Zuótiān shūshu sòngle wǒ lǐwù.

Yesterday uncle gave me a gift.

公喜欢种花。

Shūgōng xǐhuān zhòng huā.

Granduncle likes planting flowers.

因为出差了,所以我不去。

Yīnwèi shūshu chūchāi le, suǒyǐ wǒ bù qù.

Because uncle is on a business trip, I won't go.

侄两人常一起钓鱼。

Shūzhí liǎng rén cháng yīqǐ diào yú.

Uncle and nephew often go fishing together.

尽管经验丰富,但他仍虚心学习。

Jǐnguǎn shūshu jīngyàn fēngfù, dàn tā réng xūxīn xuéxí.

Although uncle is experienced, he still learns modestly.