Definitions

shòu (verb) to teach; to instruct
shòu (verb) to award; to give; to bestow

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "授" developed as a phono-semantic compound by augmenting the character "受" with the hand radical "扌", which shifted its meaning toward the active sense of giving, conferring, or instructing. Originally, "受" held the dual meanings of both receiving and giving, but the deliberate addition of the hand component created a distinct character that specifically denotes the act of imparting, such as awarding objects or transmitting knowledge. This structural modification established a clear semantic division, with "授" consistently representing actions involving deliberate conveyance by hand, while "受" came to be associated primarily with reception.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 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

老师课很认真。

Lǎoshī shòukè hěn rènzhēn.

The teacher teaches very seriously.

他教数学课。

Tā jiàoshòu shùxué kè.

He teaches math class.

学校予他奖状。

Xuéxiào shòuyǔ tā jiǎngzhuàng.

The school awarded him a certificate.

父亲传我知识。

Fùqin chuánshòu wǒ zhīshi.

My father imparts knowledge to me.

大学予他博士学位。

Dàxué shòuyǔ tā bóshì xuéwèi.

The university conferred a doctoral degree on him.

这位教课方式独特。

Zhè wèi jiàoshòu shòukè fāngshì dútè.

This professor's teaching method is unique.

公司权他处理事务。

Gōngsī shòuquán tā chǔlǐ shìwù.

The company authorized him to handle affairs.

在仪式上,校长亲自予优秀学生荣誉证书。

Zài yíshì shàng, xiàozhǎng qīnzì shòuyǔ yōuxiù xuéshēng róngyù zhèngshū.

At the ceremony, the principal personally conferred honor certificates to outstanding students.