字 字源HanziOrigin
中文EnglishFrançaisEspañolالعربيةРусский
中
zhōng
middle, center
At a glance · 中

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Evolution of the glyph

Five stages, from a sketch of the real object to regular script — tap a stage, drag the timeline, or play the animation.

中 Evolution of the glyph
  1. 中 Object sketch
    Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seen
  2. 中 Oracle bone
    Oracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCE
  3. 中 Seal script
    Seal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCE
  4. 中 Clerical script
    Clerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CE
  5. 中 Regular script
    Regular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE
Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seenOracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCESeal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCEClerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CERegular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE

⚠ Some ancient forms are not attested：oracle bone form、seal script form。No excavated oracle bone / seal artifact is attested for this character yet; we leave it blank rather than fabricate.

甲骨文、金文于「口」（或旌旗）中加一竖，指事表示中央、内部。隶楷作「中」。

What the sketch shows

中 Object sketch

Origins & notes

「中」本指中央、内里，引申为不偏、符合。

Structure

指事字，在「口」中加丨，表示正中。

At a glance

Pinyinzhōng
Radical丨
Strokes4
UnicodeU+4E2D
Character type指事
Theme状态

Six languages, one character

Each page offers hreflang versions; switching language keeps the glyphs and meanings aligned.

English middle, center Middle, center; within; to hit (match).
Français milieu, centre Milieu, centre; dans; atteindre.
Español medio, centro Medio, centro; dentro; acertar.
العربية وسط، مركز وسط أو مركز أو ضمن.
Русский середина, центр Середина, центр; внутри; соответствовать.

Common words

  • 中国zhōng guóChina
  • 中间zhōng jiānmiddle

Related characters

临