Definitions

ōu (verb) to beat up; to hit

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Simplified form of .

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "殴", which conveys the meaning to beat or hit, structurally combines the radical "殳", denoting actions related to striking or weaponry, with the phonetic component "区", a simplified form derived from the traditional "區". This composition has consistently pointed toward acts of physical violence, with the traditional form "毆" clearly displaying its phonetic association while the simplified version retains the essential semantic link through "殳". The core meaning of assault has remained stable over time, anchored by the radical's implication of forceful contact, and the character's evolution primarily involved a graphical streamlining of its phonetic element without altering its fundamental sense.

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

打了那个人。

Tā ōudǎle nàgè rén.

He assaulted that person.

两名男子在街上互相打。

Liǎng míng nánzǐ zài jiē shàng hùxiāng ōudǎ.

Two men were fighting each other on the street.

他被指控打他人。

Tā bèi zhǐkòng ōudǎ tārén.

He was accused of assaulting others.

酒后斗是违法行为。

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斗。

Tā de tiǎoxìn xíngwéi zuìzhōng yǐnfāle yī chǎng ōudòu.

His provocative behavior ultimately sparked a brawl.