字 (zì)

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 宀 represents the meaning and 子 represents the sound. The 宀 (roof) component is based on the original meaning "raise up children". The meaning later shifted to "educate", "word", and "writing".

Shuowen Jiezi

《說文》：“字，乳也。从子在宀下，子亦聲。”

Original meaning

raise up children

Components

• 宀 (meaning)
• 子 (sound, meaning)

Example sentences

1. 字、字⋯⋯ — Words, words...
2. 他识字。 — He can read.
3. 我写字母。 — I write letters.
4. 我有字典。 — I have the dictionary.
5. 汉字很难读。 — Kanji are difficult to read.

View all 50 example sentences for 字 →