Definitions

shù (noun) method; technique; art

Etymology

Simplified form of . Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. The traditional component was removed for simplification. Based on the original meaning "city road". The meaning later shifted to "way", "method", "technique", and "skill".

About

The character "术" derives from its traditional form "術", which structurally integrates the "行" radical, implying a path or way, with the component "术" that originally referred to a specific plant, such as glutinous millet. This plant element gradually took on a phonetic and semantic role, leading "術" to signify a defined method or systematic technique, shifting from concrete botanical reference to abstract concepts of art and skill. The simplified form "术" isolates this inner component, preserving the core meaning related to procedures and expertise, while the traditional character's composition explicitly conveys the notion of a guided discipline or course of action. Over time, the character's usage broadened to encompass specialized knowledge and technical practices across diverse fields, reflecting an evolution from agricultural connotations to intellectual and operational domains.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
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)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他学习艺

Tā xuéxí yìshù.

He studies art.

很重要。

Jìshù hěn zhòngyào.

Technology is important.

医生做手

Yīshēng zuò shǒushù.

The doctor performs surgery.

表演开始了。

Móshù biǎoyǎn kāishǐ le.

The magic show has started.

他在学上很努力。

Tā zài xuéshù shàng hěn nǔlì.

He works hard in academia.

训练很辛苦。

Wǔshù xùnliàn hěn xīnkǔ.

Martial arts training is very tough.

球队的战改变了。

Qiúduì de zhànshù gǎibiàn le.

The team's tactics have changed.

这种艺形式融合了多种技

Zhè zhǒng yìshù xíngshì rónghé le duō zhǒng jìshù.

This art form integrates multiple techniques.