Definitions

(verb) to practice; to study
(noun) habit; custom

Etymology

Simplified form of . Phonosemantic compound. represents the sound and represents the meaning. Based on the original meaning "to scorch". The current meaning is a phonetic loan. The traditional component was removed for simplification.

About

is the simplified form of . In its traditional structure, this character was originally a phonosemantic compound: provided the sound, and (sun) supplied the meaning, giving it the core sense "to scorch". That early meaning was eventually displaced by a phonetic loan, and the character came to stand for practice, study, and habit. When the script was simplified, the semantic component was dropped entirely, and the upper part was reduced to the compact shape seen in , a hook enclosing a dot and a rising stroke, leaving the form focused purely on the borrowed, abstract meanings.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 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)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我学中文。

Wǒ xuéxí zhōngwén.

I study Chinese.

他练跑步。

Tā liànxí pǎobù.

He practices running.

惯早起。

Tā xíguàn zǎo qǐ.

She is used to waking up early.

我们复功课。

Wǒmen fùxí gōngkè.

We review our lessons.

小明学很努力。

Xiǎo Míng xuéxí hěn nǔlì.

Xiao Ming studies very hard.

每天练钢琴是她的惯。

Měi tiān liànxí gāngqín shì tā de xíguàn.

Practicing piano daily is her habit.

通过学,他获得了新技能。

Tōngguò xuéxí, tā huòdé le xīn jìnéng.

Through study, he acquired new skills.

养成良好的惯对健康很重要。

Yǎngchéng liánghǎo de xíguàn duì jiànkāng hěn zhòngyào.

Developing good habits is important for health.