须

須/鬚
xū
彡 + 页
HSK 3.0Level 7

Definitions

xū (verb) must; have to
xū (noun) beard; mustache

Etymology

Pictograph of a person with a bearded face. Simplified form of 須. The meaning "must" is a phonetic loan.

About

The simplified character 须 derives from the traditional 須, which originated as a pictograph of a bearded face. The traditional form pairs the hair component 彡 with the head component 頁, and the simplification replaces 頁 with 页. This combination graphically conveyed facial hair, particularly a beard, a meaning that survives in some compounds, such as those referring to whiskers. Over time, it underwent a functional shift: it is now primarily used as an auxiliary verb meaning "must", a usage that came about through phonetic loan.

Example Sentences Hide

你必须早点睡觉。

Nǐ bìxū zǎo diǎn shuìjiào.

You must go to bed early.

我们须要更多时间。

Wǒmen xūyào gèng duō shíjiān.

We need more time.

学习须要耐心。

Xuéxí xūyào nàixīn.

Studying requires patience.

这件事须仔细考虑。

Zhè jiàn shì xū zǐxì kǎolǜ.

This matter must be carefully considered.

进入大楼须出示证件。

Jìnrù dàlóu xū chūshì zhèngjiàn.

Entering the building requires showing identification.

完成这个项目须团队合作。

Wánchéng zhège xiàngmù xū tuánduì hézuò.

Completing this project requires teamwork.

在紧急情况下，须保持冷静。

Zài jǐnjí qíngkuàng xià, xū bǎochí lěngjìng.

In emergency situations, one must remain calm.

根据公司规定，员工须按时提交报告。

Gēnjù gōngsī guīdìng, yuángōng xū ànshí tíjiāo bàogào.

According to company regulations, employees must submit reports on time.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

媭

Component: 彡

形 影 参 修 彩 彭 衫 彪 彦 杉 彬 彰 彤 須

Component: 页

题 领 项 预 顿 顾 额 顺 顶 页 烦 颗 频 颜

Example Words

必须 何须 无须 剃须刀 剃须膏 文须雀 根须 横须贺 莫须有 蓄须 触须 须弥 须弥山 须知 须臾 须要 胡须 须根 须生 须眉 须发 须鲸 龙须糖 龙须菜