殴

毆

ōu

区 + 殳

Frequency#3354

Definitions

ōu (verb) to beat up; to hit

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 殳 represents the meaning and 区 represents the sound. Simplified form of 毆.

Semantic: 殳 Phonetic: 区

About

The character "殴", meaning to beat or hit, originates from its traditional form "毆", which structurally combines the phonetic component "區" with the semantic component "殳", the latter indicating a hand-held weapon or striking action. While the character historically carried connotations of driving away or expelling, its meaning has consolidated in modern usage to specifically denote physical assault. The simplified form retains the "殳" component but substitutes "區" with "区", thus preserving the character's essential association with violent action.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他殴打了那个人。

Tā ōudǎle nàgè rén.

He assaulted that person.

两名男子在街上互相殴打。

Liǎng míng nánzǐ zài jiē shàng hùxiāng ōudǎ.

Two men were fighting each other on the street.

他被指控殴打他人。

Tā bèi zhǐkòng ōudǎ tārén.

He was accused of assaulting others.

酒后斗殴是违法行为。

Jiǔ hòu dòu'ōu shì wéifǎ xíngwéi.

Fighting after drinking is illegal behavior.

他被一群人围住并遭到殴打。

Tā bèi yī qún rén wéi zhù bìng zāodào ōudǎ.

He was surrounded by a group of people and was beaten.

警察迅速制止了这场殴斗。

Jǐngchá xùnsù zhìzhǐle zhè chǎng ōudòu.

The police quickly stopped this fight.

任何形式的家庭暴力都包括身体上的殴打。

Rènhé xíngshì de jiātíng bàolì dōu bāokuò shēntǐ shàng de ōudǎ.

Any form of domestic violence includes physical assault.

他的挑衅行为最终引发了一场殴斗。

Tā de tiǎoxìn xíngwéi zuìzhōng yǐnfāle yī chǎng ōudòu.

His provocative behavior ultimately sparked a brawl.

Related Characters

Component: 区

Component: 殳

殴