简

簡

jiǎn

竹 + 间

Definitions

jiǎn (adjective) simple; uncomplicated

jiǎn (noun) letter

jiǎn (verb) to choose; to select

Etymology

Simplified form of 簡. Phonosemantic compound. ⺮ represents the meaning and 間 represents the sound. The character is based on the original meaning "bamboo strips for writing". The meaning later shifted to "letter", "concise", and "simple".

Semantic: ⺮ Phonetic: 间

About

简 is the simplified form of the traditional character 簡. It is a phono-semantic compound: the top component ⺮ (竹, bamboo) signals the meaning, and the bottom component 间 (simplified from 間) indicates the sound. In its earliest use, the character denoted bamboo strips that served as the principal writing surface for documents. Because inscribing texts on bamboo demanded economy of space, the character developed the associated meanings of "concise" and "simple", and it also came to refer to a brief written "letter". This evolution reflects the practical constraints of its material origin.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Warring States (~250 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 Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Seal etymology image

Seal 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

这本书很简单。

Zhè běn shū hěn jiǎndān.

This book is very simple.

他的回答很简短。

Tā de huídá hěn jiǎnduǎn.

His answer is very brief.

请简单介绍一下。

Qǐng jiǎndān jièshào yīxià.

Please give a brief introduction.

她写了一份简历。

Tā xiě le yī fèn jiǎnlì.

She wrote a resume.

这个设计简洁大方。

Zhège shèjì jiǎnjié dàfāng.

This design is concise and elegant.

我们需要简化流程。

Wǒmen xūyào jiǎnhuà liúchéng.

We need to simplify the process.

简要说明你的观点。

Jiǎnyào shuōmíng nǐ de guāndiǎn.

Briefly explain your point of view.

简化字便于学习汉字。

Jiǎnhuàzì biànyú xuéxí hànzì.

Simplified characters make it easier to learn Chinese characters.

Related Characters

Component: 竹

Component: 间

Example Words