About
The character "私" finds its etymological basis in the combination of the component 禾, representing grain, and 厶, which conveys the idea of something private or enclosed, initially expressing the concept of personal agricultural holdings or private property. Its early meaning was firmly anchored in the realm of the personal versus the communal, reflecting a concrete sense of individual possession. Over time, the abstract notion of the private self inherent in the character facilitated a semantic expansion, allowing it to be employed as a first-person pronoun in classical Chinese, where it carried a formal or humble connotation. This linguistic adaptation was later incorporated into Japanese, solidifying its role as a common personal pronoun. Throughout this evolution, the character's structural integrity, with its components continuously hinting at its original association with private affairs, has remained unchanged.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
这是我的私人汽车。
他有点自私。
请保护我的隐私。
私人会议不允许外人参加。
她私下告诉我一个秘密。
公司有严格的私人信息政策。
在公共场合，我们应该注意私人行为。
尽管他自私，但我还是原谅了他。