Definitions

xiū protection; shade

Etymology phono-semantic

building

Semantic: 广 Phonetic:

About

is a phono-semantic compound combining the shelter radical 广 (yǎn) and the phonetic (xiū, 'to rest'). The idea of resting under a roof gives its primary meanings of shade, shelter, and protection from the elements. In classical and formal writing, this physical sheltering extended to metaphors of divine blessing, grace, or a ruler's benevolent protection, so the character is reserved for formal, poetic, or religious contexts rather than everyday speech.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
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 Cao Wei (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern