Definitions

shòu (noun) longevity; long life
shòu (noun) birthday; lifespan

Etymology

Simplified form of . The top component is a remnant of (old). The origin of the bottom component is unclear.

About

The character "寿", signifying longevity, originates from conceptual representations that visually linked the idea of extended life with imagery of aged persons and the passage of time. Its traditional form, "壽", is structurally composed of elements that allude to old age and measurement, such as the component "耂", a variant of "老" meaning old, combined with "寸", a character associated with a hand or a unit of measure, together suggesting the careful tending to life's duration. While this core meaning of long life has persisted unchanged through centuries, the character's usage broadened from merely describing lifespan to being employed in a variety of auspicious expressions and cultural practices, particularly those surrounding birthdays and the conferring of blessings, thereby enriching its semantic field without diluting its primary connotation.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Spring and Autumn (~700 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 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)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Jin dynasty (266-420 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

寿司很好吃。

Shòusī hěn hǎochī。

Sushi is very delicious.

奶奶今年过八十大寿

Nǎinai jīnnián guò bāshí dà shòu。

Grandma is celebrating her eightieth birthday this year.

爷爷喜欢练太极拳来长寿

Yéye xǐhuān liàn tàijíquán lái chángshòu。

Grandpa likes to practice Tai Chi to live a long life.

生日宴会上有一个大寿桃。

Shēngrì yànhuì shàng yǒu yī gè dà shòutáo。

There is a big longevity peach at the birthday banquet.

人们用松鹤延年图祝福长寿

Rénmen yòng sōnghè yánnián tú zhùfú chángshòu。

People use paintings of pines and cranes to wish for longevity.

送给老人的寿礼要用心挑选。

Sòng gěi lǎorén de shòulǐ yào yòngxīn tiāoxuǎn。

Gifts for the elderly's birthday should be chosen carefully.

这位百岁寿星身体依然硬朗。

Zhè wèi bǎi suì shòuxing shēntǐ yīrán yìnglǎng。

This centenarian is still in good health.

在传统文化中,寿与健康紧密相连。

Zài chuántǒng wénhuà zhōng, shòu yǔ jiànkāng jǐnmì xiānglián。

In traditional culture, longevity is closely connected to good health.