纽

紐

niǔ

丑 + 纟

Definitions

niǔ (noun) button

niǔ (verb) to turn; to wrench

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 纟 represents the meaning and 丑 represents the sound. Simplified form of 紐.

Semantic: 纟 Phonetic: 丑

About

纽 (niǔ) is the simplified form of the traditional character 紐. It is a phono-semantic compound: the radical 纟 (mì, from 糸) is a semantic component meaning silk or thread, placing the character in the realm of textiles, cords, and binding. The right-side element 丑 (chǒu) serves purely as a phonetic marker, indicating the pronunciation. The original meaning of 纽 was the knot or loop used to fasten traditional Chinese clothing before hard buttons became common. This sense of a fastener then broadened to signify any kind of tie, bond, or pivotal connection. In modern usage, the character routinely appears in compound words for mechanical knobs, structural links, and geographic focal points where elements meet or intersect.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这个纽扣是蓝色的。

Zhè ge niǔkòu shì lán sè de.

This button is blue.

妈妈帮我钉纽扣。

Māma bāng wǒ dìng niǔkòu.

Mom helps me sew on buttons.

纽约是一座国际大都市。

Niǔyuē shì yī zuò guójì dà dūshì.

New York is an international metropolis.

纽带连接着我们的友谊。

Niǔdài liánjiē zhe wǒmen de yǒuyì.

The bond connects our friendship.

他把纽扣解开了。

Tā bǎ niǔkòu jiěkāi le.

He unfastened the button.

这些纽扣的设计非常独特。

Zhèxiē niǔkòu de shèjì fēicháng dútè.

The design of these buttons is very unique.

他从纽约旅行回来了。

Tā cóng Niǔyuē lǚxíng huílái le.

He returned from traveling in New York.

纽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.

Related Characters

Component: 丑

Component: 纟

纽