Definitions

ǒu a pair; a mate; a couple; to couple; plowshare

Etymology phono-semantic

plow

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

is a phono-semantic compound pairing the semantic radical (a plow) with the phonetic component , which supplies the pronunciation. Its original meaning described two people pulling a plow side by side to cultivate a field. From this concrete farming practice, the term came to denote any pair, couple, or mate, marking a semantic shift from a specific physical action to a broader relational concept.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern