新

xīn

亲 + 斤

HSK 2.0Level 2

HSK 3.0Level 1

Definitions

xīn (adjective) new; newly

Etymology

Phonosemantic component. 辛 represents the sound, and 斤 (axe) and 木 (tree) represent the original meaning "firewood", now written as 薪. The meaning later shifted to "fresh" and "new".

About

新 is a phono-semantic compound: 辛 (xīn) provides the sound, while the combination of 斤 (axe) and 木 (tree) originally depicted cutting wood to yield firewood. This early meaning is now written as 薪. The character's sense then shifted from freshly chopped firewood to the abstract notions of "fresh" and "new".

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

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 Warring States (~400 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)

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)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Jin dynasty (266-316 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这是我的新书。

Zhè shì wǒ de xīn shū.

This is my new book.

我买了新衣服。

Wǒ mǎi le xīn yīfu.

I bought new clothes.

她认识了新朋友。

Tā rènshi le xīn péngyou.

She made a new friend.

新闻很有趣。

Xīnwén hěn yǒuqù.

The news is interesting.

新老师教我们数学。

Xīn lǎoshī jiāo wǒmen shùxué.

The new teacher teaches us math.

新技术发展很快。

Xīn jìshù fāzhǎn hěn kuài.

New technology develops quickly.

我们需要学习新知识。

Wǒmen xūyào xuéxí xīn zhīshi.

We need to learn new knowledge.

适应新环境需要时间。

Shìyìng xīn huánjìng xūyào shíjiān.

Adapting to a new environment takes time.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 亲

Component: 斤

Example Words