宇

yǔ

于 + 宀

Definitions

yǔ (noun) universe; space; world

yǔ (noun) room; house

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 宀 represents the meaning and 于 represents the sound.

Semantic: 宀 Phonetic: 于

About

宇 is a phonosemantic compound combining 宀 (mián, "roof") for meaning and 于 (yú) for sound. It originally denoted the eaves or edges of a roof, closely tied to shelter and architecture. From there, the meaning broadened to a dwelling in its entirety, and then to all spatial extent. When paired with characters for time (as in 宇宙), it forms the word for universe, envisioning space as a boundless, roof-like canopy.

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

宇宙是无限的。

Yǔzhòu shì wúxiàn de.

The universe is infinite.

宇航员在太空工作。

Yǔhángyuán zài tàikōng gōngzuò.

Astronauts work in space.

这座庙宇历史悠久。

Zhè zuò miàoyǔ lìshǐ yōujiǔ.

This temple has a long history.

山上的屋宇很漂亮。

Shān shàng de wūyǔ hěn piàoliang.

The houses on the mountain are very beautiful.

他想要环游寰宇。

Tā xiǎng yào huányóu huányǔ.

He wants to travel around the world.

宇称不守恒被发现了。

Yǔchēng bù shǒuhéng bèi fāxiàn le.

Parity non-conservation was discovered.

宇内和平是共同愿望。

Yǔnèi hépíng shì gòngtóng yuànwàng.

Peace within the world is a common desire.

宇宙膨胀的速度很快。

Yǔzhòu péngzhàng de sùdù hěn kuài.

The expansion rate of the universe is very fast.

Related Characters

Component: 于

Component: 宀

Example Words