Definitions

to lift, to raise, to carry on one's shoulder

Etymology

Pictograph of four hands working together to lift something.

About

The character is formed by combining (two hands) on top and (two hands) on the bottom, creating a pictograph of four hands cooperating to lift a heavy object. This visual arrangement gives the character its meaning of collective lifting or carrying. Over time, it has retained this concrete sense. In classical texts, refers to the manual transport of palanquins, litters, or other heavy loads, always involving shared physical labor. Thus, the character embodies the idea of joint effort.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern