Definitions

yōu distant, far; adverbial prefix

Etymology

Depicts a hand holding a stick () beating up a person (). Based on the original meaning "to hit someone". The current meaning is a phonetic loan.

About

Tracing the character "攸" back to its formative stages reveals a composition that integrates a human element with a signifier of action, originally imbuing it with a sense of removal or expanse. Its contemporary structure, featuring the person radical alongside a component derived from the depiction of a hand holding a tool, preserves this ancestral concept of instigation or traversal. The etymological journey of "攸" began with connotations of geographical or temporal distance, which in classical usage broadened into a functional particle indicating consequence or manner. Subsequently, its semantic field contracted from independent adverbial use to a specialized role in composite terms, where it now conveys notions of pivotal relation or significance, as exemplified in the word "攸关".

Etymology Hide

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)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Warring States (~250 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 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)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Wu (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这件事关大家的利益。

Zhè jiàn shì yōu guān dà jiā de lì yì.

This matter concerns everyone's interests.

环境保护关我们的未来。

Huán jìng bǎo hù yōu guān wǒ men de wèi lái.

Environmental protection is crucial for our future.

他的决定关整个项目的成败。

Tā de jué dìng yōu guān zhěng gè xiàng mù de chéng bài.

His decision is related to the success or failure of the entire project.

在火灾中,逃生是性命关的事情。

Zài huǒ zāi zhōng, táo shēng shì shēng mìng yōu guān de shì qing.

In a fire, escape is a matter of life and death.

医生的工作常常是性命关的。

Yī shēng de gōng zuò cháng cháng shì shēng mìng yōu guān de.

Doctors' work is often life-critical.

这项政策关国家经济的发展方向。

Zhè xiàng zhèng cè yōu guān guó jiā jīng jì de fā zhǎn fāng xiàng.

This policy is related to the development direction of the national economy.

鉴于此事关公司声誉,我们必须谨慎处理。

Jiàn yú cǐ shì yōu guān gōng sī shēng yù, wǒ men bì xū jǐn shèn chǔ lǐ.

Since this matter concerns the company's reputation, we must handle it carefully.

在全球化背景下,国际贸易规则关各国经济福祉。

Zài quán qiú huà bèi jǐng xià, guó jì mào yì guī zé yōu guān gè guó jīng jì fú zhǐ.

In the context of globalization, international trade rules are crucial for the economic well-being of all countries.