Definitions

shòu (verb) to receive; to accept
shòu (verb) to suffer; to bear; to endure
shòu (particle) (passive marker)

Etymology

Depicts a boat () being passed from one hand () to another hand (). also served as phonetic, but it was later abbreviated.

About

The character 受 is composed of the claw radical 爫 at the top, the cover radical 冖 in the middle, and the hand radical 又 at the bottom. This structure visually depicts two hands transferring an object, illustrating the core meaning of receiving or enduring. The character functions as a passive marker in both positive and negative contexts, indicating that a subject is on the receiving end of an action, whether it involves receiving an award or suffering a hardship.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Warring States (~400 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我接你的建议。

Wǒ jiēshòu nǐ de jiànyì.

I accept your suggestion.

到老师的表扬。

Tā shòudào lǎoshī de biǎoyáng.

He received praise from the teacher.

她在比赛中了伤。

Tā zài bǐsài zhōng shòu le shāng.

She got injured during the competition.

这个产品到消费者的欢迎。

Zhège chǎnpǐn shòudào xiāofèizhě de huānyíng.

This product is welcomed by consumers.

他忍了巨大的痛苦。

Tā rěnshòu le jùdà de tòngkǔ.

He endured great pain.

他们遭了严重的损失。

Tāmen zāoshòu le yánzhòng de sǔnshī.

They suffered serious losses.

这种材料能承高温。

Zhè zhǒng cáiliào néng chéngshòu gāowēn.

This material can withstand high temperature.

他的观点到了学术界的一致认可。

Tā de guāndiǎn shòudào le xuéshùjiè de yīzhì rènkě.

His viewpoint received unanimous recognition from the academic community.