Definitions

shòu (verb) to sell
shòu (verb) to carry out (a plan)

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

About

is a phonosemantic compound that combines (mouth) with a simplified form of , which indicates the pronunciation. The mouth radical signals speech and vocalization, pointing to its original meaning: the act of hawking goods by calling out to passersby in a marketplace. In ancient commercial life, vendors relied on loud, repeated cries to advertise their wares and attract buyers, so the character's form reflects that oral promotion. Over time, the meaning broadened from this specific vocal practice to the general transaction of selling commodities for money. Today, denotes selling in any context, but its structure still preserves a vivid trace of those early market cries.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这家商店出图书。

Zhè jiā shāng diàn chū shòu tú shū.

This store sells books.

票处在哪里?

Shòu piào chù zài nǎ lǐ?

Where is the ticket office?

员工作很忙。

Xiāo shòu yuán gōng zuò hěn máng.

The salesperson's work is very busy.

新产品预开始了。

Xīn chǎn pǐn yù shòu kāi shǐ le.

The presale for new products has started.

网上销越来越流行。

Wǎng shàng xiāo shòu yuè lái yuè liú xíng.

Online sales are becoming more and more popular.

后服务对客户很重要。

Shòu hòu fú wù duì kè hù hěn zhòng yào.

After-sales service is very important to customers.

这家公司零各种电子产品。

Zhè jiā gōng sī líng shòu gè zhǒng diàn zǐ chǎn pǐn.

This company retails various electronic products.

由于市场需求变化,他们调整了销策略。

Yóu yú shì chǎng xū qiú biàn huà, tā men tiáo zhěng le xiāo shòu cè lüè.

Due to changes in market demand, they adjusted their sales strategy.