Definitions
morning; early; long-held; long-cherished
Etymology
Pictograph of a person working underneath the moon (夕) in the early morning when the moon is still visible.
About
The character 夙 is structurally composed of 夕, representing evening or night, and 𠂇, depicting a hand, with the combination conveying the concept of manual activity extending from night into dawn, thus establishing its original meaning of early morning. This etymological basis led to its primary sense of earliness, from which its semantic application broadened to denote temporal precedence and a longstanding nature, such as in contexts referring to long-held desires or past obligations. The character's evolution reflects a shift from concrete temporal reference to more abstract notions of antiquity or earnest diligence, while its structural form has remained consistent.
Etymology Hide
