犹

猶

yóu

尤 + 犭

Definitions

yóu (adverb) still; yet

yóu (adverb) as if; like; just as

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 犭 represents the meaning and 尤 represents the sound. Simplified form of 猶. Based on the original meaning "type of monkey". The current meaning is a phonetic loan.

Semantic: 犭 Phonetic: 尤

About

犹 (yóu) is a phono-semantic compound: the animal radical 犭 (quǎn) suggests a beast, and 尤 (yóu, "outstanding" or "fault") gives the sound. The traditional form 猶 pairs 犭 with the phonetic 酋 (qiú, "tribal chief" or "aged wine"); 犹 simplifies it by using 尤. Originally, the character denoted a species of monkey or a wary, hesitant wild animal, extending to human hesitation or indecision. Through phonetic loan, the animal sense faded, and today 犹 functions as an adverb or grammatical particle meaning "still", "yet", or "as if".

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Warring States (475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

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 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 Cao Wei (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我犹记得你。

Wǒ yóu jìde nǐ.

I still remember you.

他犹疑地看着我。

Tā yóuyí de kànzhe wǒ.

He looked at me doubtfully.

雨犹未停呢。

Yǔ yóu wèi tíng ne.

The rain still hasn't stopped.

她犹如天使一般。

Tā yóurú tiānshǐ yībān.

She is just like an angel.

我犹豫是否要去。

Wǒ yóuyù shìfǒu yào qù.

I hesitate whether to go.

尽管过去多年，我犹感愧疚。

Jǐnguǎn guòqù duōnián, wǒ yóu gǎn kuìjiù.

Even after many years, I still feel guilty.

他犹自沉浸在回忆中，不愿醒来。

Tā yóuzì chénjìn zài huíyì zhōng, bù yuàn xǐnglái.

He is still immersed in memories, unwilling to wake up.

纵使面临重重困难，他犹坚定不移地追求梦想。

Zòngshǐ miànlín chóngchóng kùnnán, tā yóu jiāndìng bùyí de zhuīqiú mèngxiǎng.

Even facing numerous difficulties, he still steadfastly pursues his dream.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 尤

Component: 犭

Example Words