Definitions

niǔ (noun) button
niǔ (verb) to turn; to wrench

Etymology

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

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 纽 (niǔ) is a phono-semantic compound tied to textiles and binding. Its left component, the silk radical 纟 (mì) in simplified form or 糸 in traditional 紐, signals a semantic category related to threads, ropes, or fabric. The right component 丑 (chǒu) provides the phonetic element. Originally, 纽 referred to the knot or loop used to fasten traditional garments before hard buttons existed. Its meaning has since broadened to include ties, bonds, and pivotal connections, and it commonly appears in modern terms for mechanical knobs, structural links, and key geographic intersections.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这个扣是蓝色的。

Zhè ge niǔkòu shì lán sè de.

This button is blue.

妈妈帮我钉扣。

Māma bāng wǒ dìng niǔkòu.

Mom helps me sew on buttons.

约是一座国际大都市。

Niǔyuē shì yī zuò guójì dà dūshì.

New York is an international metropolis.

带连接着我们的友谊。

Niǔdài liánjiē zhe wǒmen de yǒuyì.

The bond connects our friendship.

他把扣解开了。

Tā bǎ niǔkòu jiěkāi le.

He unfastened the button.

这些扣的设计非常独特。

Zhèxiē niǔkòu de shèjì fēicháng dútè.

The design of these buttons is very unique.

他从约旅行回来了。

Tā cóng Niǔyuē lǚxíng huílái le.

He returned from traveling in New York.

扣的材质影响着它的耐用性。

Niǔkòu de cáizhì yǐngxiǎng zhe tā de nài yòng xìng.

The material of the button affects its durability.