尼 (ní)

Buddhist nun; (often used in phonetic spellings)

Etymology

Depicts one person (匕) carrying another person (尸) on their back. Based on the original meaning "stop; approach". The current meaning is a phonetic loan.

Shuowen Jiezi

《說文》:“尼,從後近之。从尸,匕聲。”

Original meaning

stop; approach

Components