Definitions

qūn to shrink back (from sth)

Etymology phono-semantic

walk

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

(qūn) is a phono-semantic compound that combines the movement radical (chuò) with the phonetic (qūn), which historically suggested walking slowly or dragging one's feet. Originally, it described the physical act of retreating or walking hesitantly, often used in classical texts for stepping back out of respect or fear. Over time, the meaning broadened to include psychological hesitation or dawdling. Today it appears mainly in the literary compound 逡巡 (qūnxún), meaning to hesitate or hang back.

Etymology Hide

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