咒

呪
zhòu
几 + 吅

Definitions

zhòu (noun) spell; incantation; curse
zhòu (verb) to curse; to put a curse on

Etymology

Derived from 祝, with the 礻 (show) component being replaced by 口 (mouth) component when the meaning extended to "curse". Depicts a kneeling person (卩) opening their mouth (口) to pray for disaster to happen on someone.

About

咒, meaning incantation, spell, or curse, consists of two 口 (mouth) radicals above a bottom component derived from 卩 (a kneeling person), now written 几. It originates from 祝, which shows a kneeling person 卩 at an altar 示 (礻). When the sense shifted to "curse", the altar component was replaced by a mouth 口, forming a character depicting a kneeling figure opening their mouth to pray for misfortune upon someone; the duplication of the mouth emphasizes chanting or intense utterance. Originally associated with religious chants for magical effects or divine intervention, its meaning later split into neutral or positive contexts of reciting sutras and mantras, and a negative meaning of swearing, cursing, or wishing harm through malicious speech.

Example Sentences Hide

她在念咒语。

Tā zài niàn zhòuyǔ.

She is reciting a spell.

巫师用咒语控制了他。

Wūshī yòng zhòuyǔ kòngzhì le tā.

The wizard controlled him with a spell.

可怕的诅咒降临了。

Kěpà de zǔzhòu jiànglín le.

A terrible curse has descended.

他咒骂那些不公平的事。

Tā zhòumà nàxiē bù gōngpíng de shì.

He cursed those unfair things.

咒语的力量非常强大。

Zhòuyǔ de lìliàng fēicháng qiángdà.

The power of spells is very strong.

古老的咒文记载在书上。

Gǔlǎo de zhòuwén jìzǎi zài shū shàng.

Ancient incantations are recorded in the book.

他被诅咒后失去了所有财富。

Tā bèi zǔzhòu hòu shīqù le suǒyǒu cáifù.

After being cursed, he lost all his wealth.

尽管咒术看似神秘，但科学家试图用理性解释它。

Jǐnguǎn zhòushù kànsì shénmì, dàn kēxuéjiā shìtú yòng lǐxìng jiěshì tā.

Although curse magic seems mysterious, scientists try to explain it rationally.

Related Characters

Component: 几

机 几 风 亮 凡 虎 沿 凭 凯 凤 朵 肌 玑 饥

Component: 吅

品 器 哭 骂 囊 襄 嚣 駡 穯 賷 㽞 僉 咢 喌

Example Words

诅咒 咒骂 咒语 大悲咒 紧箍咒 魔咒 咒文 咒诅 念咒 符咒 赌咒