Definitions

(verb) to carry; to bear (on one's back)
(adjective) negative; minus
(verb) to be defeated

Etymology

Simplified form of . Depicts a person () carrying shells () on their back.

About

The character 负 (simplified from 負) combines the upper component ⺈, suggesting a person or a knife variant, with the lower radical 贝, which historically represents shell currency or wealth. Its etymology depicts a person carrying a heavy burden, like a bag of shells, on their back. The original meaning focused on physically bearing a load. This later extended to abstract concepts, including shouldering responsibilities, incurring debts, suffering defeat, and denoting negative values in mathematics.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

责打扫房间。

Wǒ fùzé dǎsǎo fángjiān.

I am responsible for cleaning the room.

这对他是个担。

Zhè duì tā shì gè fùdān.

This is a burden for him.

面消息不好。

Fùmiàn xiāoxi bù hǎo.

Negative news is not good.

他不想辜父母。

Tā bù xiǎng gūfù fùmǔ.

He does not want to let down his parents.

担不起学费。

Wǒ fùdān bù qǐ xuéfèi.

I cannot afford the tuition fees.

他的自让人讨厌。

Tā de zìfù ràng rén tǎoyàn.

His conceit makes people dislike him.

他在战斗中伤了。

Tā zài zhàndòu zhōng fùshāng le.

He was wounded in battle.

利率会影响经济。

Fù lìlǜ huì yǐngxiǎng jīngjì.

Negative interest rates will affect the economy.