殊

shū

朱 + 歹

Definitions

shū (adjective) different; unique; special

shū (adverb) very

shū (verb) to behead; to cut off

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 歹 represents the meaning and 朱 represents the sound.

Semantic: 歹 Phonetic: 朱

About

殊 is a phono-semantic compound in which 歹 on the left gives the meaning (death, badness, severed bones) and 朱 on the right provides the sound. The original meaning was 'to sever, cut off, or execute,' which accounts for the death-related radical. Over time, the notion of physical cutting off extended metaphorically to abstract ideas of being distinctly different, unique, or special. Today, the character is primarily used to mean 'different' or 'special,' its violent etymology largely forgotten, but its structure remains unchanged in both traditional and simplified Chinese.

Etymology Hide

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这个礼物很特殊。

Zhège lǐwù hěn tèshū.

This gift is very special.

他获得了特殊荣誉。

Tā huòdéle tèshū róngyù.

He received special honor.

双方力量悬殊。

Shuāngfāng lìliàng xuánshū.

The strength of both sides is vastly different.

这是他一生的殊荣。

Zhè shì tā yīshēng de shūróng.

This is the special honor of his life.

他们进行了殊死搏斗。

Tāmen jìnxíngle shūsǐ bódòu.

They engaged in a desperate struggle.

在特殊情况下，我们可以例外。

Zài tèshū qíngkuàng xià, wǒmen kěyǐ lìwài.

Under special circumstances, we can make an exception.

这种材料具有特殊的性质。

Zhè zhǒng cáiliào jùyǒu tèshū de xìngzhì.

This material has special properties.

尽管环境殊异，他们还是成功了。

Jǐnguǎn huánjìng shūyì, tāmen háishì chénggōng le.

Despite the different environments, they still succeeded.

Related Characters

Component: 朱

Component: 歹

殊