Definitions

(verb) lodge; stay overnight
(adjective) old; former
xiǔ (noun) night
xiù (noun) constellation

Etymology

Depicts a person () sleeping on a bamboo mat () under a roof ().

About

The character 宿 originated from a pictographic representation of a person reclining on a mat beneath a roof, conveying the fundamental idea of lodging or staying overnight, and its structural integrity, combining the roof radical 宀 with components evoking a person and a mat, has been maintained in its traditional configuration. From this primary sense of temporary residence, its meanings extended to denote past nights or former times, reflecting the accumulation of nights spent in a place. Additionally, it acquired astronomical significance as a term for celestial lodgings or constellations, and when applied to individuals, it came to signify a veteran or someone with longstanding experience, emphasizing duration and familiarity.

Etymology Hide

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 Early Spring and Autumn (~700 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 Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我住在学校的宿舍。

Wǒ zhù zài xuéxiào de sùshè.

I live in the school dormitory.

旅行时找到好的住宿很重要。

Lǚxíng shí zhǎodào hǎo de zhùsù hěn zhòngyào.

When traveling, finding good accommodation is important.

实现宿愿是他最大的梦想。

Shíxiàn sùyuàn shì tā zuì dà de mèngxiǎng.

Realizing his long-cherished wish is his biggest dream.

他因为宿醉而无法上班。

Tā yīnwèi sùzuì ér wúfǎ shàngbān.

He couldn't go to work because of a hangover.

这两个家族是多年的宿敌。

Zhè liǎng gè jiāzú shì duō nián de sùdí.

These two families have been enemies for many years.

宿命论认为一切早已注定。

Sùmìng lùn rènwéi yīqiè zǎo yǐ zhùdìng.

Fatalism believes that everything is predestined.

他们在森林里宿营了一周。

Tāmen zài sēnlín lǐ sùyíngle yī zhōu.

They camped in the forest for a week.

这种宿疾需要耐心治疗。

Zhè zhǒng sùjí xūyào nàixīn zhìliáo.

This chronic illness requires patient treatment.