司

sī

𠃌 + 𠮛

Definitions

sī (verb) to manage; to supervise

sī (noun) department; bureau

Etymology

Depicts using a scepter and a mouth (口) to command or take control of something.

About

司 is composed of 尸 and 口. In its ancient form, 尸 was not simply a body but a hand gripping a scepter, while 口 represents a mouth, together depicting a figure using a scepter and spoken commands to exert authority. The original meaning was to take charge, direct, or preside over an office. This administrative sense later broadened into nouns denoting government departments, bureaus, and the officials responsible for specialized duties.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Warring States (~250 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 Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他是公司司机。

Tā shì gōngsī sījī。

He is a company driver.

我们公司正在招聘新员工。

Wǒmen gōngsī zhèngzài zhāopìn xīn yuángōng。

Our company is hiring new employees。

司机把车停在路边等候。

Sījī bǎ chē tíng zài lùbiān děnghòu。

The driver parked the car by the roadside to wait。

这家跨国公司总部在纽约。

Zhè jiā kuàguó gōngsī zǒngbù zài Niǔyuē。

This multinational company's headquarters is in New York。

司法机关必须依法独立办案。

Sīfǎ jīguān bìxū yīfǎ dúlì bàn'àn。

Judicial authorities must handle cases independently according to the law。

交通管理局发布了新的道路规则。

Jiāotōng guǎnlǐ jú fābùle xīn de dàolù guīzé。

The traffic management bureau issued new road regulations。

该公司司库负责管理所有资金流动。

Gāi gōngsī sīkù fùzé guǎnlǐ suǒyǒu zījīn liúdòng。

The treasurer of the company is responsible for managing all fund flows。

外交部发言人司负责人发表了声明。

Wàijiāobù fāyánrén sī fùzérén fābiǎole shēngmíng。

The head of the Foreign Ministry's Spokesperson's Department made a statement.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 𠃌

Component: 𠮛

Example Words