Definitions

(noun) sign; symbol; mark
(verb) to correspond to; to coincide with
(noun) talisman; charm

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. ⺮ represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 符, structurally comprising the bamboo radical 竹 positioned above the component 付, originally denoted a bamboo tally split into halves for authentication or conferring authority. Its semantic field gradually extended from such physical tokens to encompass symbols and talismans, particularly in ritual contexts, while also developing the abstract sense of correspondence or agreement, as evidenced in its verbal usage meaning to match or accord.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
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)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这个号很常见。

Zhège fúhào hěn chángjiàn.

This symbol is very common.

他的行为合规定。

Tā de xíngwéi fúhé guīdìng.

His behavior conforms to the rules.

音乐中有很多音

Yīnyuè zhōng yǒu hěnduō yīnfú.

There are many musical notes in music.

她戴了一个护身

Tā dàile yīgè hùshēnfú.

She is wearing an amulet.

这些数据不事实。

Zhèxiē shùjù bùfú shìshí.

These data do not accord with the facts.

编程时常用字变量。

Biānchéng shí cháng yòng zìfú biànliàng.

When programming, character variables are often used.

古代节用于验证身份。

Gǔdài fújié yòng yú yànzhèng shēnfèn.

In ancient times, tallies were used to verify identity.

这道咒据说能驱邪。

Zhè dào fúzhòu jùshuō néng qūxié.

This charm is said to ward off evil spirits.