Definitions

(adverb) certainly; must; necessarily
(auxiliary verb) will; be bound to

Etymology

Pictograph of a weapon handle, now written as . was later added as a decorative mark. Similar to but without the blade. The current meaning is a phonetic loan.

About

Etymologically, the character 必 is believed to have originated from the concept of a weapon handle, as seen in its relation to the character 柲, which denotes a spear shaft, thereby embodying steadfastness. Structurally, it is composed of a heart component (心) intersected by a stroke, a configuration that later came to symbolize resoluteness, though this interpretation may not reflect the initial pictographic form. The semantic evolution moved from denoting a solid, tangible object to expressing the abstract notions of necessity and certainty, a transition that occurred through extended metaphorical use in classical texts. This character has maintained a consistent graphical representation over time, with no distinct traditional variant requiring simplification.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal 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 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)
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

须努力学习。

Nǐ bìxū nǔlì xuéxí.

You must study hard.

这是一项须完成的任务。

Zhè shì yī xiàng bìxū wánchéng de rènwù.

This is a task that must be completed.

每天练习是进步的要条件。

Měi tiān liànxí shì jìnbù de bìyào tiáojiàn.

Practicing every day is a necessary condition for progress.

这场决赛定非常精彩。

Zhè chǎng juésài bìdìng fēicháng jīngcǎi.

This final match is bound to be very exciting.

他未会同意这个计划。

Tā wèibì huì tóngyì zhège jìhuà.

He may not necessarily agree with this plan.

这其中的然性值得研究。

Zhè qízhōng de bìránxìng zhíde yánjiū.

The necessity within this is worth studying.

诚实是为人处世的备品质。

Chéngshí shì wéirén chǔshì de bìbèi pǐnzhì.

Honesty is an essential quality for conducting oneself in society.

从长远看,合作互利是然的趋势。

Cóng chángyuǎn kàn, hézuò hùlì shì bìrán de qūshì.

In the long run, mutually beneficial cooperation is an inevitable trend.