Definitions

(verb) to need; to require
(noun) necessity; need

Etymology

Pictograph of a person standing under the rain (), representing the meaning "become wet", now written as . The current meaning is a phonetic loan. The person component was later replaced with the phonetic component .

About

The character 需, structured with the component 雨 (rain) positioned above 而 (and, but), etymologically derives from an early conceptualization of waiting in the rain, which conveyed a sense of delay or expectation. This initial meaning of waiting gradually shifted toward denoting necessity or requirement, as evidenced in classical texts where 需 acquired the sense of 'to need' or 'to require'. Over time, its semantic focus solidified into modern concepts of obligation and necessity, while its graphical composition, with 雨 symbolically associated with the waiting scenario and 而 historically representing a person, remained consistent, supporting this evolution in meaning.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

要你的帮助。

Wǒ xūyào nǐ de bāngzhù.

I need your help.

要更多时间。

Tā xūyào gèng duō shíjiān.

He needs more time.

这是必的工具。

Zhè shì bìxū de gōngjù.

This is a necessary tool.

我们有新的求。

Wǒmen yǒu xīn de xūqiú.

We have new demands.

完成这个任务耐心。

Wánchéng zhège rènwù xū nàixīn.

Completing this task requires patience.

考虑所有可能性。

Xū kǎolǜ suǒyǒu kěnéngxìng.

It is necessary to consider all possibilities.

帮助,请随时联系我。

Rú xū bāngzhù, qǐng suíshí liánxì wǒ.

If you need help, please contact me anytime.

在项目实施过程中,密切关注进度。

Zài xiàngmù shíshī guòchéng zhōng, xū mìqiè guānzhù jìndù.

During project implementation, it is necessary to closely monitor the progress.