Definitions

shū (noun) father's younger brother; uncle
shū (noun) husband's younger brother

Etymology

Depicts holding a sharp wooden stick () in the hand () to dig up dirt. Based on the original meaning "to dig". The current meaning is a phonetic loan.

About

叔 is a phono-semantic compound. The right component 又, depicting a hand, suggests a manual action, while the left component 尗 serves as the phonetic element and originally illustrated the harvesting of beans. Although its etymology relates to this agricultural gathering, the character's meaning shifted entirely to denote a specific family relation. It primarily means a father's younger brother, distinguishing it from the term for an older brother. This kinship term is also commonly used as a respectful address for any man of one's father's generation.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

帮我学习。

Shūshu bāng wǒ xuéxí.

Uncle helps me study.

是老师。

Wǒ shūshu shì lǎoshī.

My uncle is a teacher.

父从上海回来。

Shūfù cóng Shànghǎi huílái.

Uncle returned from Shanghai.

昨天送了我礼物。

Zuótiān shūshu sòngle wǒ lǐwù.

Yesterday uncle gave me a gift.

公喜欢种花。

Shūgōng xǐhuān zhòng huā.

Granduncle likes planting flowers.

因为出差了,所以我不去。

Yīnwèi shūshu chūchāi le, suǒyǐ wǒ bù qù.

Because uncle is on a business trip, I won't go.

侄两人常一起钓鱼。

Shūzhí liǎng rén cháng yīqǐ diào yú.

Uncle and nephew often go fishing together.

尽管经验丰富,但他仍虚心学习。

Jǐnguǎn shūshu jīngyàn fēngfù, dàn tā réng xūxīn xuéxí.

Although uncle is experienced, he still learns modestly.