寫 (xiě)

to write; to draw, to sketch; to compose

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 宀 represents the meaning and 舄 represents the sound. Based on the original meaning "relocate". The meaning later shifted to "copy" and "write".

Shuowen Jiezi

《說文》:“寫,置物也。从宀,舄聲。”

Original meaning

relocate

Components