祝

zhù

兄 + 礻

HSK 3.0Level 4

Definitions

zhù (verb) to wish; to express good wishes

zhù (verb) to pray

Etymology

Depicts a kneeling person (卩) in front of a memorial tablet (礻) opening their mouth (口) to pray.

About

祝 combines the altar radical 礻 with 兄, which depicts a kneeling person (卩) opening their mouth (口) to pray. This composition evokes praying before a memorial tablet, giving the character its original meaning: to pray or recite ritual words during sacrifices to seek divine favor. Over time, its religious connotations broadened into secular usage, and 祝 now serves as the standard verb for wishing someone well, congratulating them, or expressing blessings for their success and happiness.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Shang dynasty (~1100 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (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 Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

祝你生日快乐！

Zhu ni sheng ri kuai le!

Happy birthday to you!

我祝你健康。

Wo zhu ni jian kang.

I wish you health.

我们祝贺他成功。

Women zhu he ta cheng gong.

We congratulate him on his success.

她祝愿世界和平。

Ta zhu yuan shi jie he ping.

She wishes for world peace.

在婚礼上，大家祝福新人。

Zai hun li shang, da jia zhu fu xin ren.

At the wedding, everyone blesses the newlyweds.

我衷心祝你早日康复。

Wo zhong xin zhu ni zao ri kang fu.

I sincerely wish you a speedy recovery.

祝你在新的工作中一切顺利。

Zhu ni zai xin de gong zuo zhong yi qie shun li.

I wish you all the best in your new job.

尽管面临困难，我们仍祝愿项目圆满成功。

Jin guan mian lin kun nan, women reng zhu yuan xiang mu yuan man cheng gong.

Despite facing difficulties, we still wish the project a complete success.

Related Characters

Component: 兄

Component: 礻

Example Words