Definitions

(verb) to lift; to carry; to raise
(verb) to mention; to bring up (a topic)
(verb) to lift up slightly

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

is a phono-semantic compound combining the hand radical (shǒu), which signals a manual action, and the phonetic component (shì). Its earliest concrete meanings all involve using the hand in some way: carrying something with the arm hanging down at one's side, lifting an object by a handle, or physically raising items. These literal actions of lifting and bringing forward later expanded into figurative uses, so that can also mean mentioning a topic, bringing up a subject for discussion, raising a question, or promoting someone to a higher position.

Etymology Hide

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)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

着一个篮子。

Tā tízhe yī gè lánzi.

He is carrying a basket.

前到达机场。

Qǐng tíqián dàodá jīchǎng.

Please arrive at the airport early.

公司供免费午餐。

Gōngsī tígōng miǎnfèi wǔcān.

The company provides free lunch.

醒你带钥匙。

Wǒ tíxǐng nǐ dài yàoshi.

I remind you to bring the keys.

出了新的想法。

Tā tíchūle xīn de xiǎngfǎ.

He proposed new ideas.

为了高效率,我们改了计划。

Wèile tígāo xiàolǜ, wǒmen gǎile jìhuà.

In order to improve efficiency, we changed the plan.

在会议上,他及了那个问题。

Zài huìyì shàng, tā tíjíle nàgè wèntí.

At the meeting, he mentioned that problem.

经过多次醒,他终于记住了密码。

Jīngguò duōcì tíxǐng, tā zhōngyú jìzhùle mìmǎ.

After many reminders, he finally remembered the password.