吁

籲

xū, yù

于 + 口

Definitions

xū (interjection) sh; hush

yù (verb) to implore; to urge

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 口 represents the meaning and 于 represents the sound. Simplified form of 籲.

Semantic: 口 Phonetic: 于

About

The character 吁 has two distinct uses depending on pronunciation. As xū, it is a phonosemantic compound: 口 'mouth' indicates a vocal sound like a sigh, and 于 provides the sound. As yù, it is the simplified form of the traditional character 籲, which is built from 竹 (bamboo), 龠 (flute), and 頁 (head) and originally meant to implore or appeal. The simplification merged the complex 籲 with the simpler 吁 based entirely on their phonetic similarity, giving the modern character the combined meanings of a vocalized sigh and a formal plea or public appeal.

Etymology Hide

Seal Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)

Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我们呼吁世界和平。

Wǒmen hūyù shìjiè hépíng.

We appeal for world peace.

政府呼吁市民节约用水。

Zhèngfǔ hūyù shìmín jiéyuē yòngshuǐ.

The government appeals to citizens to save water.

他们吁请社会关注环保。

Tāmen yùqǐng shèhuì guānzhù huánbǎo.

They petition the society to pay attention to environmental protection.

灾民吁求更多援助。

Zāimín yùqiú gèng duō yuánzhù.

The disaster victims plead for more aid.

他跑得气喘吁吁。

Tā pǎo de qìchuǎn xūxū.

He ran until he was panting heavily.

专家吁请立法保护野生动物。

Zhuānjiā yùqǐng lìfǎ bǎohù yěshēng dòngwù.

Experts appeal for legislation to protect wild animals.

他独自吁叹人生的无常。

Tā dúzì xūtàn rénshēng de wúcháng.

He alone sighs at the impermanence of life.

在会议上，代表们吁请国际社会共同应对气候变化。

Zài huìyì shàng, dàibiǎomen yùqǐng guójì shèhuì gòngtóng yìngduì qìhòu biànhuà.

At the conference, representatives appealed to the international community to jointly address climate change.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 于

Component: 口

吁