Definitions
(noun)
rat; mouse
Etymology
Pictograph of a rat.
About
The character "鼠" originated as a pictorial representation of a rodent, with its earliest forms emphasizing distinctive features such as a pointed snout, prominent teeth, and a long tail to capture the essence of the animal. Over time, this visual depiction was systematically stylized and regularized into the abstract symbol used today, yet it retains structural elements that echo the creature's profile, including curved strokes suggesting the body and minor marks hinting at fur or limbs. Etymologically, the character has always been directly associated with rats and mice, maintaining this primary meaning across millennia without significant deviation. In modern contexts, while the core referent remains the animal, the semantic application of "鼠" has extended metaphorically to name analogous objects, most notably the computer mouse, demonstrating how the character adapts to new concepts while preserving its historical identity.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
这只老鼠很小
鼠年是我的本命年
我用鼠标控制电脑
老鼠怕猫是天性
仓库里有很多老鼠
鼠疫是一种传染病
这只小鼠在迷宫里寻找奶酪
为了防止鼠害农民养了猫