务 wù — affair, must · English

务

wù

affair, must

At a glance · 务

Listen

Audio is synthesized in your browser: Mandarin for the character and Shuowen text, native voices for every translation. No downloads.

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.

Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seen
Oracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCE
Seal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCE
Clerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CE
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.

小篆从力敄声，形声字，本指致力、从事。隶楷作「務」，简化作「务」。

What the sketch shows

Origins & notes

「务」本指勉力从事，引申为事务、务必。

Structure

形声字，力为意符，敄为声符。

At a glance

Pinyinwù

Radical力

Strokes6

UnicodeU+52A1

Character type形声

Theme动作

Six languages, one character

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

English affair, must An affair, task; to devote to; must.

Français affaire, devoir Une affaire, tâche; s'appliquer; devoir.

Español asunto, deber Un asunto, tarea; dedicarse; deber.

العربية شأن، يجب شأن أو مهمة أو يجب.

Русский дело, обязан Дело, задача; заниматься; должен, нужно.

Common words

服务fú wùserve
任务rèn wùtask

◉ Listen