绣

綉/繡

xiù

秀 + 纟

HSK 2.0Level 6

HSK 3.0Level 7

Definitions

xiù (verb,noun) to embroider; embroidery

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 纟 represents the meaning and 秀 represents the sound. Simplified form of 繡.

Semantic: 纟 Phonetic: 秀

About

The character 绣 is a phonosemantic compound that began as the simplified form of 繡. The traditional 繡 combines the silk radical 糸, indicating a connection to textiles, with the phonetic 肅. The simplified 绣 uses the simplified silk radical 纟 to convey thread or fabric, and 秀 to represent the sound. Originally, it meant the art of embroidery, decorating cloth with needle and thread. Over time, the meaning expanded to describe anything that is richly adorned or strikingly beautiful, commonly appearing in terms for splendid landscapes and intricately patterned garments.

Etymology Hide

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

她的衬衫绣着花。

Tā de chènshān xiù zhe huā.

Her shirt is embroidered with flowers.

妈妈在绣一块手帕。

Māma zài xiù yí kuài shǒupà.

Mom is embroidering a handkerchief.

我喜欢这件绣花旗袍。

Wǒ xǐhuan zhè jiàn xiùhuā qípáo.

I like this embroidered cheongsam.

妹妹学刺绣已经三年了。

Mèimei xué cìxiù yǐjīng sān nián le.

My younger sister has been learning embroidery for three years.

那个绣球抛向了人群。

Nàge xiùqiú pāo xiàng le rénqún.

That embroidered ball was thrown into the crowd.

这幅十字绣作品非常精美。

Zhè fú shízìxiù zuòpǐn fēicháng jīngměi.

This cross-stitch piece is extremely exquisite.

苗族的刺绣工艺是非物质文化遗产。

Miáozú de cìxiù gōngyì shì fēi wùzhì wénhuà yíchǎn.

The embroidery craft of the Miao people is an intangible cultural heritage.

她用金线在丝绸上绣出了凤凰的图案。

Tā yòng jīnxiàn zài sīchóu shàng xiù chū le fènghuáng de tú'àn.

She embroidered a phoenix pattern on silk with gold thread.

Related Characters

Component: 秀

Component: 纟

绣