Definitions

shǔ (noun) daybreak; dawn
shǔ (noun) dawn of a new epoch

Etymology phono-semantic

sun

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "曙", meaning dawn, is a phono-semantic compound that integrates the semantic component "日" for sun with the phonetic component "署" to suggest its pronunciation. This structure directly associates the character with the sun's emergence at morning, while the phonetic element may also imply a sense of manifestation or unfolding, aligning with the gradual revelation of light at daybreak. Over its historical usage, the character has maintained a consistent reference to the early morning period, specifically the first illumination of the sky, with no notable divergence in its core meaning. Its composition has remained stable, reflecting a enduring conceptual link between the sun and the beginning of daytime.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

光出现在东方。

shǔ guāng chū xiàn zài dōng fāng.

The first light of dawn appears in the east.

清晨的色非常美丽。

qīng chén de shǔ sè fēi cháng měi lì.

The dawn light of the early morning is very beautiful.

我们终于看到了胜利的光。

wǒ men zhōng yú kàn dào le shèng lì de shǔ guāng.

We finally saw the dawn of victory.

黎明前的光最是黑暗。

lí míng qián de shǔ guāng zuì shì hēi àn.

The dawn just before daybreak is the darkest.

她在光中开始了晨跑。

tā zài shǔ guāng zhōng kāi shǐ le chén pǎo.

She started her morning run in the dawn light.

这项发明为医学领域带来了新的光。

zhè xiàng fā míng wèi yī xué lǐng yù dài lái le xīn de shǔ guāng.

This invention has brought a new dawn to the field of medicine.

她眼中闪烁着希望的光。

tā yǎn zhōng shǎn shuò zhe xī wàng de shǔ guāng.

The light of hope flickered in her eyes.

人类历史正揭开一个充满挑战的色时代。

rén lèi lì shǐ zhèng jiē kāi yī gè chōng mǎn tiǎo zhàn de shǔ sè shí dài.

Human history is unveiling a dawning age full of challenges.