Definitions

chōu healed; reformed

Etymology phono-semantic

sickness

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

is a phono-semantic compound: the sickness radical forms an enclosure that establishes its connection to disease and ailments, while the inner component (depicting wings or flying high) serves as the phonetic indicator. Some interpretations also attribute a semantic function to , suggesting the idea of lifting or removing a burden. Throughout its history, the character has primarily denoted recovery from sickness, healing, or a cure, reflecting a semantic shift from the ailment implied by the radical to the positive outcome of restored health.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Warring States (~250 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)
Seal etymology image
Seal 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)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern