以
yǐ
by means of
At a glance · 以

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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.

以 Evolution of the glyph
  1. 以 Object sketch
    Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seen
  2. 以 Oracle bone
    Oracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCE
  3. 以 Seal script
    Seal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCE
  4. 以 Clerical script
    Clerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CE
  5. 以 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

「以」甲骨文象人提物之形(以=𠂇+厶),后借为介词。

What the sketch shows

以 Object sketch

Origins & notes

「以」本为提携象形,假借为用、以、因,文言常用虚词。

Structure

象形字,本象提物之形,假借为介词、连词,久借不还。

At a glance

Pinyinyǐ
Radical人
Strokes5
UnicodeU+4EE5
Character type象形
Theme虚词

Six languages, one character

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

English by means of by means of; thereby, therefore; consider as; in order to
Français par / avec Par, avec, préposition. «存以甘棠» : par le gân-tang on commémore.
Español por / con Por, con, preposición. «存以甘棠»: por el gan-tang se conmemora.
العربية بـ / مع بـ، مع، حرف جر. «存以甘棠»: بالغان-تانغ يُذكر.
Русский с помощью / посредством С помощью, посредством, предлог. «存以甘棠»: через гань-тан поминают.

Common words

  • 所以suǒ yǐtherefore
  • 以及yǐ jías well as