尹
govern, official
At a glance · 尹
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、金文象以手（又）持笔（丨）治理事务，会意治理、主事。隶楷作「尹」。
What the sketch shows
Origins & notes
「尹」本指治理，后为官名，掌事之长官。
Structure
会意字，从又持丨，象手持笔主事治理。
At a glance
Pinyinyǐn
Radical尸
Strokes4
UnicodeU+5C39
Character type会意
Theme政事
Six languages, one character
Each page offers hreflang versions; switching language keeps the glyphs and meanings aligned.
English
govern, official
To govern; an official title (magistrate).
Français
gouverner, officiel
Gouverner; un titre d'officiel (magistrat).
Español
gobernar, oficial
Gobernar; un título oficial (magistrado).
العربية
يحكم، مسؤول
يحكم أو لقب مسؤول.
Русский
управлять, чиновник
Управлять; должность чиновника (правителя).
Common words
- 尹yǐngovernor
- 伊尹yī yǐnYi Yin