About
The character "叔" originates from a compositional blend of the component "尗", associated with beans, and "又", representing a hand, suggesting an early connotation linked to gathering or harvesting. This agricultural reference gradually shifted as the character was appropriated for familial hierarchy, specifically denoting the third son in the classical brotherly sequence of 伯, 仲, 叔, and 季. From this ordinal use, its meaning narrowed to refer to a father's younger brother, highlighting a junior position within the paternal line, and over centuries it expanded into a general term for uncle or a polite form of address for men of one's father's generation. While its traditional structure remains visually intact, the direct connection to its original semantic roots has been largely overshadowed by this enduring familial significance.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
叔叔帮我学习。
我叔叔是老师。
叔父从上海回来。
昨天叔叔送了我礼物。
叔公喜欢种花。
因为叔叔出差了，所以我不去。
叔侄两人常一起钓鱼。
尽管叔叔经验丰富，但他仍虚心学习。