氏

shì, zhī

Definitions

shì (noun) clan; family name

Etymology

Pictograph of a tool similar to a hammer that is shaped like deer antlers. Original meaning unclear.

About

氏 is an independent radical, a pictograph depicting a tool akin to a hammer with antler-like branches. Its original meaning is lost. In its earliest usage, it served as a designation for a clan or lineage, distinguishing noble families during a time when surnames and clan names were separate concepts. As naming practices evolved and the two terms merged, 氏 came to function as an honorific suffix attached to a family name or personal title, conveying respect, indicating a maiden name, or tracing a professional lineage. Today, it primarily marks ancestry, denoting a surname or a kinship group united by shared bloodlines.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 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)

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 Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

李氏家族很富有。

Lǐ shì jiāzú hěn fùyǒu.

The Li family is very wealthy.

摄氏温度是常用的。

Shèshì wēndù shì chángyòng de.

Celsius temperature is commonly used.

这位女士姓张氏。

Zhè wèi nǚshì xìng Zhāng shì.

This lady has the surname Zhang.

王氏公司发展迅速。

Wáng shì gōngsī fāzhǎn xùnsù.

Wang's company develops rapidly.

这个方案基于陈氏研究。

Zhège fāng'àn jīyú Chén shì yánjiū.

This plan is based on Chen's research.

在历史上，许多氏族迁移了。

Zài lìshǐ shàng, xǔduō shìzú qiānyí le.

In history, many clans migrated.

这种治疗方法源于张氏中医理论。

Zhè zhǒng zhìliáo fāngfǎ yuán yú Zhāng shì zhōngyī lǐlùn.

This treatment method originates from Zhang's traditional Chinese medical theory.

通过基因分析，科学家确定了该氏族的起源。

Tōngguò jīyīn fēnxī, kēxuéjiā quèdìng le gāi shìzú de qǐyuán.

Through genetic analysis, scientists determined the origin of the clan.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 氏

Example Words