酌

zhuó

勺 + 酉

Definitions

zhuó to pour wine; to drink wine; to deliberate; to consider

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 酉 represents the meaning and 勺 represents the sound.

Semantic: 酉 Phonetic: 勺

About

酌 is a phonosemantic compound: 酉, an ancient wine vessel, provides the meaning related to alcohol, while 勺 (sháo) indicates the sound. The 勺 component also depicts a ladle, fitting the original sense of using a ladle to pour wine from a large vessel into a cup. Because ladling demands a steady, measured hand, the meaning later broadened to denote careful consideration or deliberation before deciding.

Etymology Hide

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

请酌情处理这件事。

Qǐng zhuó qíng chǔlǐ zhè jiàn shì.

Please handle this matter with appropriate discretion.

我们正在斟酌合适的用词。

Wǒmen zhèngzài zhēnzhuó héshì de yòngcí.

We are considering the appropriate wording.

这杯酒请你慢酌。

Zhè bēi jiǔ qǐng nǐ màn zhuó.

Please savor this glass of wine slowly.

补助金额会酌情增减。

Bǔzhù jīn'é huì zhuó qíng zēng jiǎn.

The amount of the subsidy will be adjusted accordingly.

老板斟酌许久才做决定。

Lǎobǎn zhēnzhuó xǔjiǔ cái zuò juédìng.

The boss deliberated for a long time before making a decision.

具体方案还需大家共同商酌。

Jùtǐ fāng'àn hái xū dàjiā gòngtóng shāngzhuó.

The specific plan still requires everyone to discuss and deliberate together.

费用被酌减了一部分。

Fèiyòng bèi zhuó jiǎnle yī bùfen.

The cost was reduced by a certain amount after consideration.

商务宴请时，酌酒是门艺术。

Shāngwù yànqǐng shí, zhuó jiǔ shì mén yìshù.

During business banquets, pouring and toasting with wine is an art.

Related Characters

Component: 勺

Component: 酉

酌