威
majesty, power
At a glance · 威
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.
小篆从女戌声，形声字，本指母亲之威严，引申为威力。隶楷作「威」。
What the sketch shows
Origins & notes
「威」本指令人畏服的气势，引申为威严、权势。
Structure
形声字，女为意符，戌为声符。
At a glance
Pinyinwēi
Radical女
Strokes9
UnicodeU+5A01
Character type形声
Theme德行
Six languages, one character
Each page offers hreflang versions; switching language keeps the glyphs and meanings aligned.
English
majesty, power
Majesty, dignity, power to awe.
Français
majesté, pouvoir
Majesté, dignité, pouvoir impressionnant.
Español
majestad, poder
Majestad, dignidad, poder imponente.
العربية
هيبة، سلطان
هيبة أو سلطان مهيب.
Русский
величие, мощь
Величие, достоинство, устрашающая сила.
Common words
- 威严wēi yánmajesty
- 威风wēi fēngimposing