守

shǒu

宀 + 寸

HSK 3.0Level 5

Definitions

shǒu (verb) to guard; to defend; to keep watch

shǒu (verb) to abide by; to observe (rules)

shǒu (adjective) nearby; adjoining

Etymology

Depicts a hand (寸) guarding a building (宀).

About

守 is an ideogrammatic compound formed by 宀 (roof) on top and 寸 (hand/measure) below. The roof component represents a building or domestic space, while 寸 depicts a hand, also carrying connotations of measurement and adherence to rules. The character thus illustrates a hand guarding a building, giving rise to the primary senses 'to guard' and 'to defend'. From this core idea, it extends to upholding rules within a domain, keeping promises, guarding a position, or maintaining traditions.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Shang dynasty (~1100 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 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 Jin dynasty (266-316 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Jin dynasty (266-420 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

守卫我们的国家是军人的职责。

Shǒu wèi wǒmen de guójiā shì jūnrén de zhízé.

It is the soldier's duty to guard our country.

我哥哥是一名守门员。

Wǒ gēge shì yī míng shǒuményuán.

My older brother is a goalkeeper.

他答应过的事情就一定会遵守。

Tā dāyìng guò de shìqíng jiù yīdìng huì zūnshǒu.

He will definitely keep the promise he made.

她独自守着那间老房子。

Tā dúzì shǒu zhe nà jiān lǎo fángzi.

She is staying alone, looking after that old house.

保守这个秘密对我们很重要。

Bǎoshǒu zhège mìmì duì wǒmen hěn zhòngyào.

Keeping this secret is very important to us.

守时是一种基本的礼貌。

Shǒu shí shì yī zhǒng jīběn de lǐmào.

Being punctual is a basic courtesy.

在困境中，他一直坚守着自己的信念。

Zài kùnjìng zhōng, tā yīzhí jiānshǒu zhe zìjǐ de xìnniàn.

In difficult times, he has always firmly held onto his beliefs.

这家公司以严格守法和诚信经营而闻名。

Zhè jiā gōngsī yǐ yángé shǒufǎ hé chéngxìn jīngyíng ér wénmíng.

This company is famous for its strict law-abiding practices and honest operation.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 宀

Component: 寸

Example Words