族

zú

方 + 矢 + 𠂉

HSK 3.0Level 5

Definitions

zú (noun) clan; tribe; ethnic group

zú (noun) social group; category of people

Etymology

Depicts a flag (㫃) representing a clan and an arrow (矢) representing their military power.

About

The character 族 is historically composed of a flag (㫃), representing a clan, and an arrow (矢), signifying military power. This pairing vividly illustrates warriors gathered under a single rallying banner for unified command, mutual defense, and military purposes. From its early sense of an armed clan or tribal military unit, the meaning expanded to cover broader social organizations: large extended families, distinct ethnic groups and nationalities, and any specific class of people or objects that share defining characteristics.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Warring States (~400 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Warring States (~400 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 Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

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

我们是一个大家族。

Wǒmen shì yīgè dà jiāzú.

We are a big family.

这个国家有许多不同的民族。

Zhège guójiā yǒu xǔduō bùtóng de mínzú.

This country has many different ethnic groups.

他是我们族里最年长的人。

Tā shì wǒmen zú lǐ zuì niánzhǎng de rén.

He is the eldest person in our clan.

上班族每天都忙着工作。

Shàngbānzú měitiān dōu mángzhe gōngzuò.

Office workers are busy with work every day.

古代贵族的生活很奢侈。

Gǔdài guìzú de shēnghuó hěn shēchǐ.

The life of ancient nobles was very luxurious.

这个姓氏在当地是个大族。

Zhège xìngshì zài dāngdì shì gè dà zú.

This surname is a prominent clan in the local area.

少数民族的传统文化值得保护。

Shǎoshù mínzú de chuántǒng wénhuà zhídé bǎohù.

The traditional culture of ethnic minorities is worth protecting.

水族馆里有很多稀有鱼类。

Shuǐzúguǎn lǐ yǒu hěnduō xīyǒu yúlèi.

There are many rare fish species in the aquarium.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 方

Component: 矢

Component: 𠂉

Example Words