Definitions

tuī (verb) to push; to shove
tuī (verb) to promote; to advance; to push forward
tuī (verb) to decline; to refuse; to reject
tuī (verb) to delay; to postpone

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "推" is constructed as a phono-semantic compound, integrating the hand radical to signify actions performed with the hand and the component "隹" which primarily offers phonetic guidance. Its original and enduring meaning centers on the physical act of pushing, but through linguistic development, this concrete sense naturally extended into abstract domains, encompassing the process of logical deduction, where one pushes forward from evidence to a conclusion, as well as the social acts of recommending or promoting, metaphorically pushing someone or something into notice or favor. This progression from tangible to figurative uses demonstrates how the character's semantic range evolved while its structural composition, consistently linking it to manual force, has remained intact.

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

开了大门。

Tā tuīkāi le dàmén.

He pushed open the big door.

荐一本好书。

Qǐng tuījiàn yī běn hǎo shū.

Please recommend a good book.

我们迟了会议。

Wǒmen tuīchí le huìyì.

We postponed the meeting.

这项技术动发展。

Zhè xiàng jìshù tuīdòng fāzhǎn.

This technology promotes development.

公司广新产品。

Gōngsī tuīguǎng xīn chǎnpǐn.

The company is promoting new products.

他用理解决问题。

Tā yòng tuīlǐ jiějué wèntí.

He uses reasoning to solve problems.

政府动教育改革。

Zhèngfǔ tuīdòng jiàoyù gǎigé.

The government promotes education reform.

科学家导出新理论。

Kēxuéjiā tuīdǎo chū xīn lǐlùn.

Scientists derived a new theory.