右 yòu — right · English

右

yòu

right

At a glance · 右

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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.

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.

「右」甲骨文从又（手）加口，象助祭之手，金文小篆承之。

What the sketch shows

Origins & notes

「右」本义为左右之右、右边，引申帮助（佑）、上右。

Structure

从又、从口，会意字，口象助声或方位，本为右、助（通佑）。

At a glance

Pinyinyòu

Radical口

Strokes5

UnicodeU+53F3

Character type会意

Theme数术

Six languages, one character

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

English right right; west; right-wing

Français droite / droit Droite, droit. «右通广内» : à droite, on rejoint Guangnei.

Español derecha / derecho Derecha, derecho. «右通广内»: a la derecha se llega a Guangnei.

العربية يمين / يمين يمين، يمين. «右通广内»: عن اليمين يصل إلى غوانغ-نوي.

Русский правый / справа Правый, справа. «右通广内»: справа ведёт в Гуан-нэй.

Common words

右边yòu biānright
左右zuǒ yòuaround

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