Definitions

suǒ (noun) place; location
suǒ (particle) that which; particle introducing relative clause or passive

Etymology

Origin unclear. represents the sound.

About

The character "所" originates from a conceptual representation of a door or household, with its present structure combining the components "戶" for door and "斤" for axe, together evoking a place of activity or dwelling. Initially denoting a physical location or site, its meaning extended to indicate where an action occurs, which in classical Chinese facilitated its grammatical function as a particle marking passive voice or relative clauses. This progression resulted in its modern usage as a frequent suffix for institutions and within grammatical frameworks that reference place or agency.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 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 Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这是我有的书。

Zhè shì wǒ suǒyǒu de shū.

This is all my books.

说的话很重要。

Tā suǒ shuō de huà hěn zhòngyào.

What he said is very important.

我们在的城市很美丽。

Wǒmen suǒzài de chéngshì hěn měilì.

The city where we are is very beautiful.

以你今天必须完成作业。

Suǒyǐ nǐ jīntiān bìxū wánchéng zuòyè.

Therefore, you must finish your homework today.

这件事被有人知晓。

Zhè jiàn shì bèi suǒyǒu rén suǒ zhīxiǎo.

This matter is known by everyone.

根据我了解的情况,计划需要调整。

Gēnjù wǒ suǒ liǎojiě de qíngkuàng, jìhuà xūyào tiáozhěng.

According to the situation I understand, the plan needs adjustment.

政府推行的政策得到了广泛支持。

Zhèngfǔ suǒ tuīxíng de zhèngcè dédàole guǎngfàn zhīchí.

The policy implemented by the government has received widespread support.

科学家发现的这种现象颠覆了传统理论。

Kēxuéjiā suǒ fāxiàn de zhè zhǒng xiànxiàng diānfùle chuántǒng lǐlùn.

This phenomenon discovered by scientists has overturned traditional theory.