史

shǐ

Definitions

shǐ (noun) history; historical records

shǐ (noun) historian

Etymology

The characters 史 (history), 吏 (government official), 使 (cause; use; instruct), and 事 (matter; work; affair) are all etymologically related and all derive from the same ancient character, depicting a hand (又) holding a container for writing utensils.

About

Originally a pictograph of a hand (又) holding a container for writing utensils, 史 denoted the scribe tasked with recording events, laws, and rulers' speeches. The upper 口 component likely represents that container. The meaning shifted from "scribe" to "written records", eventually becoming the standard term for history, historical annals, and the systematic study of the past. It also serves as a semantic component in characters like 吏 (official), 使 (to instruct; use), and 事 (matter; affair), all of which derive from the same ancient depiction of a hand with a writing utensil holder.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Shang dynasty (~1100 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 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 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)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这本书是关于历史的。

Zhè běn shū shì guānyú lìshǐ de.

This book is about history.

他正在读一本史书。

Tā zhèngzài dú yī běn shǐshū.

He is reading a history book.

历史告诉我们很多教训。

Lìshǐ gàosù wǒmen hěn duō jiàoxùn.

History tells us many lessons.

这位史学家研究古代史。

Zhè wèi shǐxuéjiā yánjiū gǔdàishǐ.

This historian studies ancient history.

博物馆里有很多历史文物。

Bówùguǎn lǐ yǒu hěn duō lìshǐ wénwù.

There are many historical artifacts in the museum.

通过史料我们可以了解过去。

Tōngguò shǐliào wǒmen kěyǐ liǎojiě guòqù.

Through historical materials, we can understand the past.

这段史实被记录在官方档案中。

Zhè duàn shǐshí bèi jìlù zài guānfāng dàng'àn zhōng.

This historical fact is recorded in official archives.

研究历史需要客观和分析能力。

Yánjiū lìshǐ xūyào kèguān hé fēnxī nénglì.

Studying history requires objectivity and analytical skills.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 史

Example Words