处

處

chǔ, chù

卜 + 夂

HSK 3.0Level 5

Definitions

chǔ (verb) to live; to dwell; to stay; to get along with; to deal with

chù (noun) place; location; spot

chù (noun) department; bureau; office

Etymology

Simplified form of 處. Phonosemantic compound. 夂 represents the meaning and 虎 represents the sound.

About

处 is the simplified form of the traditional character 處. Originally, 處 was a phonosemantic compound: 夂 (walking slowly, stopping) provided the meaning, and 虎 (tiger) indicated the sound. Its structure combined 虍 (tiger's head) at the top, 夂 in the middle, and 几 (stool) at the bottom, evoking someone stopping to sit and rest on a stool. The simplified form 处 retains the meaning component 夂 while replacing the rest with the abbreviated phonetic 卜. The character denotes a place or location where someone or something is situated. As a verb, it means to dwell, manage, or handle, reflecting the act of occupying a space and dealing with circumstances.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Shang dynasty (~1100 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 Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Seal etymology image

Seal 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

到处都是秋天的落叶。

dào chù dōu shì qiū tiān de luò yè。

Everywhere are autumn leaves.

我们如何处理这个问题？

wǒ men rú hé chǔ lǐ zhè ge wèn tí？

How should we handle this problem?

我家住在市中心繁华处。

wǒ jiā zhù zài shì zhōng xīn fán huá chù。

I live in the bustling area of the city center.

请告诉我总务处怎么走。

qǐng gào su wǒ zǒng wù chù zěn me zǒu。

Please tell me how to get to the General Affairs Office.

他的行为真让人难以忍受处。

tā de xíng wéi zhēn ràng rén nán yǐ rěn shòu chǔ。

His behavior really has an unbearable aspect to it.

这位处长办事十分公平公正。

zhè wèi chù zhǎng bàn shì shí fēn gōng píng gōng zhèng。

This section chief handles affairs very fairly and justly.

双方关系正处于微妙阶段。

shuāng fāng guān xì zhèng chǔ yú wēi miào jiē duàn。

The relationship between the two sides is in a delicate stage.

那个处所环境清幽，适合修养。

nà ge chù suǒ huán jìng qīng yōu， shì hé xiū yǎng。

That venue has a quiet and secluded environment, suitable for recuperation.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 卜

Component: 夂

Example Words