Definitions

chóu (verb) to prepare; to plan
chóu (verb) to raise (funds); to gather resources
chóu (noun) counter; token (for counting); chip (in gambling)

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. ⺮ represents the meaning and 寿 represents the sound. Simplified form of .

Semantic: Phonetic: 寿

About

The character '筹' incorporates a bamboo radical alongside the phonetic component '寿', reflecting its origin in bamboo tally sticks employed for numerical accounting and strategic planning. Its traditional form '籌' retains the bamboo radical but uses the more complex '壽' for its sound. Initially denoting physical counters used in calculation and record-keeping, the meaning broadened over centuries to encompass abstract notions of planning, resource allocation, and strategic formulation, evident in modern compounds such as '筹划' for devising plans or '筹码' for bargaining chips. This transition from a concrete object to an abstract concept demonstrates how the character's application evolved while preserving its intrinsic connection to measured organization and preparatory thought.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我们在备生日宴会。

Wǒmen zài chóubèi shēngrì yànhuì.

We are preparing a birthday party.

他们集了很多钱。

Tāmen chóují le hěn duō qián.

They raised a lot of money.

他在赌桌上放了一些码。

Tā zài dǔzhuō shàng fàng le yīxiē chóumǎ.

He placed some chips on the gambling table.

公司需要统所有资源。

Gōngsī xūyào tǒngchóu suǒyǒu zīyuán.

The company needs to coordinate all resources.

我们正在办一场音乐会。

Wǒmen zhèngzài chóubàn yī chǎng yīnyuèhuì.

We are organizing a concert.

慈善机构正在为地震灾区积极款。

Císhàn jīgòu zhèngzài wèi dìzhèn zāiqū jījí chóukuǎn.

The charity organization is actively fundraising for the earthquake disaster area.

团队精心划了这个项目。

Tuánduì jīngxīn chóuhuà le zhège xiàngmù.

The team meticulously planned this project.

他暗中谋如何提升公司业绩。

Tā ànzhōng chóumóu rúhé tíshēng gōngsī yèjì.

He secretly planned how to improve the company's performance.