Definitions

(literary) to change one's residence

Etymology

To step  out on a long journey 

About

The character "徙", meaning to move or migrate, is structured around the idea of foot travel, as its traditional form combines the radical "彳", denoting a step or road, with a component historically derived from two "止" characters representing feet, emphasizing the act of walking. Its etymology centers on a change of place, originally referring specifically to the movement of a group of people or a household from one dwelling to another, a sense that distinguishes it from more general verbs for movement. Over time, while retaining this core meaning of relocation, its usage expanded into more abstract or metaphorical applications, such as shifting one's position in an argument or changing habits, though the concrete sense of physical migration remains primary. The character's form has remained largely consistent in its traditional rendering, with the arrangement of its components clearly picturing the repetitive stepping motion inherent to its meaning.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Warring States (~300 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Warring States (~250 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 Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
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)
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

候鸟在春天迁

Hòuniǎo zài chūntiān qiānxǐ.

Migratory birds migrate in spring.

他们计划居到城市。

Tāmen jìhuà xǐjū dào chéngshì.

They plan to move to the city.

由于工作原因,他到了北京。

Yóuyú gōngzuò yuányīn, tā xǐ dàole Běijīng.

Due to work reasons, he moved to Beijing.

古代部落经常居寻找食物。

Gǔdài bùluò jīngcháng xǐjū xúnzhǎo shíwù.

Ancient tribes often moved to find food.

为了更好的生活,许多农民往沿海地区。

Wèile gèng hǎo de shēnghuó, xǔduō nóngmín xǐ wǎng yánhǎi dìqū.

For a better life, many farmers migrate to coastal areas.

战争迫使大量人口离家园。

Zhànzhēng pòshǐ dàliàng rénkǒu xǐ lí jiāyuán.

War forces large populations to move away from their homes.

政府组织了整个村子的置工程。

Zhèngfǔ zǔzhīle zhěnggè cūnzi de xǐ zhì gōngchéng.

The government organized a relocation project for the entire village.

生态变化导致动物迁模式发生显著变。

Shēngtài biànhuà dǎozhì dòngwù qiānxǐ móshì fāshēng xiǎnzhù xǐ biàn.

Ecological changes cause significant shifts in animal migration patterns.