Definitions

(noun) universe; space; world
(noun) room; house

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "宇" is structured with the semantic radical "宀", representing a roof or dwelling, combined with the phonetic component "于", which guides its pronunciation. Originally denoting the eaves or physical cover of a house, its meaning gradually extended to include the interior space within a building and then, through a metaphorical shift, broadened to signify the vast canopy of the sky or the infinite cosmos. This semantic expansion is captured in compounds like "宇宙", where it conveys the concept of the universe, marking a transition from specific architectural reference to an abstract representation of spatial expanse.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 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 Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

宙是无限的。

Yǔzhòu shì wúxiàn de.

The universe is infinite.

航员在太空工作。

Yǔhángyuán zài tàikōng gōngzuò.

Astronauts work in space.

这座庙历史悠久。

Zhè zuò miàoyǔ lìshǐ yōujiǔ.

This temple has a long history.

山上的屋很漂亮。

Shān shàng de wūyǔ hěn piàoliang.

The houses on the mountain are very beautiful.

他想要环游寰

Tā xiǎng yào huányóu huányǔ.

He wants to travel around the world.

称不守恒被发现了。

Yǔchēng bù shǒuhéng bèi fāxiàn le.

Parity non-conservation was discovered.

内和平是共同愿望。

Yǔnèi hépíng shì gòngtóng yuànwàng.

Peace within the world is a common desire.

宙膨胀的速度很快。

Yǔzhòu péngzhàng de sùdù hěn kuài.

The expansion rate of the universe is very fast.