Definitions

(noun) Yu the Great, legendary ruler of ancient China who controlled the floods (c. 21st century BC)

Etymology

Depicts some sort of bug.

About

The character "禹" derives from early Chinese usage where it initially denoted a type of insect, but its meaning specialized to refer solely to the legendary ruler Yu, known for controlling floods. In its standard form, the character is structurally composed of the component "虍" positioned above "禸", a configuration that reflects later analytical interpretations rather than original pictorial intent. Over centuries, its application shifted from a general zoological term to a specific proper name, ultimately cementing its association with the Xia dynasty founder and losing its earlier generic sense in modern usage.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Shang dynasty (~1100 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Shang dynasty (~1100 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
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 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

是中国古代的英雄。

Dà Yǔ shì Zhōngguó gǔdài de yīngxióng.

Yu the Great is a hero from ancient China.

王庙在山上。

Yǔ Wáng miào zài shān shàng.

The Temple of King Yu is on the mountain.

我们学习大治水的故事。

Wǒmen xuéxí Dà Yǔ zhì shuǐ de gùshi.

We study the story of Yu the Great controlling the floods.

州是河南省的一个城市。

Yǔzhōu shì Hénán Shěng de yīgè chéngshì.

Yuzhou is a city in Henan Province.

昨天我参观了的陵墓。

Zuótiān wǒ cānguān le Yǔ de língmù.

Yesterday I visited Yu's mausoleum.

不仅治水有功,还建立了夏朝。

Dà Yǔ bùjǐn zhì shuǐ yǒu gōng, hái jiànlì le Xià cháo.

Yu the Great not only contributed to flood control, but also established the Xia dynasty.

的智慧和精神至今仍被传颂。

Yǔ de zhìhuì hé jīngshén zhìjīn réng bèi chuánsòng.

Yu's wisdom and spirit are still praised to this day.

尽管关于的传说带有神话色彩,但历史学家普遍认为他确有其人。

Jǐnguǎn guānyú Yǔ de chuánshuō dài yǒu shénhuà sècǎi, dàn lìshǐ xuéjiā pǔbiàn rènwéi tā què yǒu qí rén.

Although legends about Yu have mythological elements, historians generally believe that he did exist.