Definitions

suǒ (verb) to search; to seek
suǒ (verb) to demand; to ask; to exact
suǒ (noun) rope; cord
suǒ (adjective) isolated

Etymology

Pictograph of two hands () twisting together a long rope (). The meaning later expanded to "search" and "demand".

About

The character 索 is an ideogrammatic compound depicting a thick rope being made from finer materials. Its bottom component is 糸 (mì), representing silk threads or fibers, while the top portion shows the action of twisting or binding these threads together into a stronger cable. Originally meaning a heavy rope or the act of cord-making, this sense persists in some compound words. Through semantic extension, based on the idea of following a rope or guideline to find something, it gradually acquired meanings related to searching, seeking, exploring, and demanding, now common in modern vocabulary for investigation or requests.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 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 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 Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
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

我在搜答案。

Wǒ zài sōusuǒ dá'àn.

I am searching for the answer.

取了一些资料。

Tā suǒqǔle yīxiē zīliào.

He requested some materials.

这本书有详细引。

Zhè běn shū yǒu xiángxì suǒyǐn.

This book has a detailed index.

警察找到了重要线

Jǐngchá zhǎodàole zhòngyào xiànsuǒ.

The police found an important clue.

他思着人生的问题。

Tā sīsuǒzhe rénshēng de wèntí.

He is pondering the questions of life.

性我们明天再去吧。

Suǒxìng wǒmen míngtiān zài qù ba.

Let's simply go tomorrow instead.

公司向保险公司赔。

Gōngsī xiàng bǎoxiǎn gōngsī suǒpéi.

The company claims compensation from the insurance company.

登山者乘坐道上山。

Dēngshānzhě chéngzuò suǒdào shàngshān.

The climbers take the cable car up the mountain.