酋

qiú

丷 + 酉

Definitions

qiú (noun) tribal chief; chieftain

Etymology

Depicts a container of wine. Based on the original meaning "wine-master". The meaning later shifted to "elder" and "chief".

About

The character 酋 originally pictured a wine vessel or fermentation jar: the core component 酉 forms the container, and the strokes 八 above represent fumes of strong, mature liquor rising. It first designated a wine-master, the official who oversaw the brewing and distribution of alcohol during formal ceremonies and state rituals. Over centuries, the meaning shifted entirely from alcohol production to denote a tribal chief, clan headman, or local leader of minority groups, often appearing in historical records that document the governance of non-Han peoples on the empire's periphery.

Etymology Hide

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我们尊敬酋长。

Wǒmen zūnjìng qiúzhǎng.

We respect the chief.

酋长住在村子里。

Qiúzhǎng zhù zài cūnzi lǐ.

The chief lives in the village.

老酋长经验丰富。

Lǎo qiúzhǎng jīngyàn fēngfù.

The old chief has rich experience.

昨天酋长召开了会议。

Zuótiān qiúzhǎng zhàokāile huìyì.

Yesterday the chief convened a meeting.

这个酋邦历史悠久。

Zhège qiúbāng lìshǐ yōujiǔ.

This chiefdom has a long history.

酋长的决定影响整个部落。

Qiúzhǎng de juédìng yǐngxiǎng zhěnggè bùluò.

The chief's decision affects the entire tribe.

如果酋长同意，我们就出发。

Rúguǒ qiúzhǎng tóngyì, wǒmen jiù chūfā.

If the chief agrees, we will set out.

尽管年轻，但新酋长已经赢得了众人的信任。

Jǐnguǎn niánqīng, dàn xīn qiúzhǎng yǐjīng yíngdéle zhòngrén de xìnrèn.

Although young, the new chief has already won everyone's trust.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 丷

Component: 酉

酋