Definitions

(verb) to manage; to supervise
(noun) department; bureau

Etymology

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

About

The character "司" originated from early pictorial forms that conceptually merged a hand gesture with a mouth to represent the act of commanding or presiding over affairs, which is reflected in its enduring structure of a covering element positioned above the mouth radical. This configuration consistently conveyed notions of management and oversight, with its initial meaning centered on governmental administration and official control. Over centuries, the application of "司" extended beyond public office to denote various forms of stewardship, so that it now serves as a component in terms for drivers, judicial branches, and commercial enterprises, thereby preserving its core linguistic connection to authority and directional responsibility while adapting to broader contextual uses.

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

他是公机。

Tā shì gōngsī sījī。

He is a company driver.

我们公正在招聘新员工。

Wǒmen gōngsī zhèngzài zhāopìn xīn yuángōng。

Our company is hiring new employees。

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。

这家跨国公总部在纽约。

Zhè jiā kuàguó gōngsī zǒngbù zài Niǔyuē。

This multinational company's headquarters is in New York。

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.