Definitions

(interjection) sh; hush
(verb) to implore; to urge

Etymology

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

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "吁" originated as a representation of an exclamation or sigh, with its structure combining the mouth radical (口) for sound-related meanings and the component "于" which historically served as a phonetic indicator. Over centuries, its core meaning centered on verbal interjections expressing surprise, concern, or a call to halt. The more complex traditional form "籲", used for the sense of appealing or petitioning, is built from components such as bamboo (竹), page or head (頁), and flute (龠), suggesting a formalized vocal or written entreaty. While these characters were historically distinct in usage, the simplified system adopted "吁" to cover both the exclamatory and petitionary meanings, leading to a semantic convergence where the character now denotes both a sigh and an appeal.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我们呼世界和平。

Wǒmen hūyù shìjiè hépíng.

We appeal for world peace.

政府呼市民节约用水。

Zhèngfǔ hūyù shìmín jiéyuē yòngshuǐ.

The government appeals to citizens to save water.

他们请社会关注环保。

Tāmen yùqǐng shèhuì guānzhù huánbǎo.

They petition the society to pay attention to environmental protection.

灾民求更多援助。

Zāimín yùqiú gèng duō yuánzhù.

The disaster victims plead for more aid.

他跑得气喘

Tā pǎo de qìchuǎn xūxū.

He ran until he was panting heavily.

专家请立法保护野生动物。

Zhuānjiā yùqǐng lìfǎ bǎohù yěshēng dòngwù.

Experts appeal for legislation to protect wild animals.

他独自叹人生的无常。

Tā dúzì xūtàn rénshēng de wúcháng.

He alone sighs at the impermanence of life.

在会议上,代表们请国际社会共同应对气候变化。

Zài huìyì shàng, dàibiǎomen yùqǐng guójì shèhuì gòngtóng yìngduì qìhòu biànhuà.

At the conference, representatives appealed to the international community to jointly address climate change.