Definitions
(numeral)
zero; nought
(noun)
fragment; fraction; small
(noun)
remainder (in division)
(verb)
to wither and fall
About
The character "零" initially conveyed the idea of a light rain or drizzle, a meaning directly indicated by its structural composition with the "雨" radical representing rain and the "令" component contributing phonetic value. Its semantic range gradually expanded to encompass related concepts of falling or scattering in minor quantities, such as descending dew or shed tears, thereby acquiring a broader sense of fragmentation or remnant traces. This path of abstraction eventually allowed the character to be employed in mathematical contexts to denote the number zero, a conceptual shift that likely occurred through engagement with external numerical systems where the need for a symbol representing null quantity arose. While its graphical form has remained consistent throughout its history, the transformation in its application from a term describing precipitation to a central numeral illustrates a substantive adaptation within the language.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
今天气温是零度。
我口袋里有一些零钱。
孩子们喜欢吃零食。
比赛得分是二比零。
他从零开始学英语。
这些零散的零件需要组装。
在数学中，零是一个重要的数字。
由于设备故障，产量几乎降为零。