Definitions
Etymology
Pictograph of a person with a bearded face. Simplified form of 須. The meaning "must" is a phonetic loan.
About
The character 须 derives from the traditional form 須, an ideographic and phono-semantic compound. Its traditional structure combines the hair radical 彡 on the left with the head radical 頁 on the right; the simplified form modifies the right side to the component 页. This visual pairing of hair on a head originally denoted facial hair, such as a beard or whiskers. While this specific noun sense persists in certain compound words, the character’s primary function underwent a major grammatical shift, becoming an auxiliary verb meaning "must", "have to", or "necessary". This transition transformed 须 from a concrete physical noun into a highly frequent abstract particle indicating obligation or requirement.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
你必须早点睡觉。
我们须要更多时间。
学习须要耐心。
这件事须仔细考虑。
进入大楼须出示证件。
完成这个项目须团队合作。
在紧急情况下，须保持冷静。
根据公司规定，员工须按时提交报告。