Definitions

(numeral) four (in financial contexts)
(adjective) unrestrained; wanton
(noun) shop; store

Etymology

Depicts a hand restraining a domestic animal () by holding its tail (). also represents the sound. Based on the original meaning "kill domestic animals and display them". The meaning later shifted to "shop", "wanton", "unrestrained", and "indulge".

About

The character "肆" derives from early concepts of extension or display, with its structural composition integrating elements suggestive of length and the act of writing, thereby historically implying an elaborate or unrestrained presentation. Its meaning gradually shifted from denoting physical stretching or arranging to encompassing metaphorical senses of excess and indulgence, often referring to reckless or wanton behavior. Alongside this, it acquired a distinct role as a formal numeral for the number four in financial and legal documents, where its complexity provided a measure of security against tampering, illustrating how its original connotations of expansiveness were adapted for practical administrative purposes over time.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical 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

狂风在窗外虐。

Kuángfēng zài chuāng wài sìnüè。

The fierce wind wreaked havoc outside the window.

病毒在这个地区虐了数月。

Bìngdú zài zhège dìqū sìnüè le shù yuè。

The virus raged in this area for several months.

孩子们在公园里放地奔跑玩耍。

Háizimen zài gōngyuán lǐ fàngsì de bēnpǎo wánshuǎ。

The children ran and played wildly in the park.

新闻大报道了这次国际会议。

Xīnwén dàsì bàodào le zhè cì guójì huìyì。

The news extensively reported on this international conference.

无忌惮地抄袭他人的作品。

Tā sìwújìdàn de chāoxí tārén de zuòpǐn。

He plagiarized other people's work without any scruples.

战火虐过后,城市满目疮痍。

Zhànhuǒ sìnüè guòhòu, chéngshì mǎnmùchuāngyí。

After the ravages of war, the city lay in ruins.

作为领导,他从不曾在工作中放自己的脾气。

Zuòwéi lǐngdǎo, tā cóng bù céng zài gōngzuò zhōng fàngsì zìjǐ de píqì。

As a leader, he never allows himself to lose his temper at work.

那家公司因行金融欺诈而受到法律的严厉制裁。

Nà jiā gōngsī yīn sìxíng jīnróng qīzhà ér shòudào fǎlǜ de yánlì zhìcái。

That company was severely sanctioned by law for wantonly engaging in financial fraud.