坐
zuò
sit
At a glance · 坐

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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.

坐 Evolution of the glyph
  1. 坐 Object sketch
    Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seen
  2. 坐 Oracle bone
    Oracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCE
  3. 坐 Seal script
    Seal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCE
  4. 坐 Clerical script
    Clerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CE
  5. 坐 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。No excavated oracle bone / seal artifact is attested for this character yet; we leave it blank rather than fabricate.

坐字小篆从土从土从人,会意为人在地上两土之间,本义为跪坐、安坐。甲骨文象两人对坐土上。

What the sketch shows

坐 Object sketch

Origins & notes

坐本义为坐下、安坐。

Structure

会意字,二人(或一人)在土上,表示席地而坐。

At a glance

Pinyinzuò
Radical土
Strokes7
UnicodeU+5750
Character type会意
Theme动作

Six languages, one character

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

English sit Zuo is an associative character of a person on the ground, meaning to sit.
Français s'asseoir Zuo est un caractère associatif d'une personne à terre, signifiant s'asseoir.
Español sentarse Zuo es un carácter asociativo de una persona en el suelo, significa sentarse.
العربية يجلس تسوو حرف تركيبي لشخص على الأرض، ويعني الجلوس.
Русский сидеть Цзо — ассоциативный знак человека на земле, означает сидеть.

Common words

  • 坐下zuò xiàsit down
  • 坐车zuò chētake a car