奏
play, memorialize
At a glance · 奏
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 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、金文从廾（双手）奉「屮」「天」之类上进，会意进献。小篆作「奏」，本指进言、献乐。隶楷作「奏」。
What the sketch shows
Origins & notes
「奏」本指进献、上言，引申为演奏、奏章。
Structure
会意字，从廾从屮从天，象双手奉物上进之形。
At a glance
Pinyinzòu
Radical大
Strokes9
UnicodeU+594F
Character type会意
Theme礼乐
Six languages, one character
Each page offers hreflang versions; switching language keeps the glyphs and meanings aligned.
English
play, memorialize
To play (music); to present a memorial.
Français
jouer, présenter
Jouer (musique); présenter un mémorial.
Español
tocar, presentar
Tocar (música); presentar un memorial.
العربية
يعزف، يرفع
يعزف أو يرفع تقريرًا.
Русский
играть, подавать
Играть (музыку); подавать доклад (трону).
Common words
- 演奏yǎn zòuplay
- 奏zòuplay