孝

xiào

子 + 耂

Definitions

xiào (noun,adjective) filial piety; to be filial

xiào (noun) mourning garments

Etymology

Depicts a child (子) respecting an old man (老), conveying the meaning "filial piety".

About

孝 combines a modified form of 老 (old person, appearing as 耂) above 子 (child), visually depicting a child supporting an elder. This structure conveys filial piety, the virtue of reverence, obedience, and devoted care for one's parents and ancestors.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Spring and Autumn (~700 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal etymology image

Seal Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

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 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)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

孝道是中华民族的传统美德。

Xiàodào shì zhōnghuá mínzú de chuántǒng měidé.

Filial piety is a traditional virtue of the Chinese nation.

他非常孝顺自己的父母。

Tā fēichāng xiàoshùn zìjǐ de fùmǔ.

He is very filial to his parents.

子女对父母要有孝心。

Zǐnǚ duì fùmǔ yào yǒu xiàoxīn.

Children should have filial devotion towards their parents.

尽孝的方式有很多种。

Jìn xiào de fāngshì yǒu hěn duō zhǒng.

There are many ways to fulfill one's filial duties.

现代社会的孝道观念有所变化。

Xiàndài shèhuì de xiàodào guānniàn yǒu suǒ biànhuà.

The concept of filial piety has changed somewhat in modern society.

他将孝的精神延伸到尊敬师长。

Tā jiāng xiào de jīngshén yánshēn dào zūnjìng shīzhǎng.

He extends the spirit of filial piety to respecting his teachers.

赡养父母是法律规定的孝行。

Shànyǎng fùmǔ shì fǎlǜ guīdìng de xiàoxíng.

Supporting one's parents is a filial act mandated by law.

真正的孝在于理解和尊重，而不仅仅是义务。

Zhēnzhèng de xiào zàiyú lǐjiě hé zūnzhòng, ér bùjǐnjǐn shì yìwù.

True filial piety lies in understanding and respect, not merely obligation.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 子

Component: 耂

Example Words