我
wǒ
I, me
At a glance · 我

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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.

我 Evolution of the glyph
  1. 我 Object sketch
    Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seen
  2. 我 Oracle bone
    Oracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCE
  3. 我 Seal script
    Seal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCE
  4. 我 Clerical script
    Clerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CE
  5. 我 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、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、金文象一种有齿的兵器(戊类)之形,象形,后假借为第一人称代词。隶楷作「我」。

What the sketch shows

我 Object sketch

Origins & notes

「我」本指兵器,假借为第一人称代词。

Structure

象形字,象古代兵器之形;后假借为代词。

At a glance

Pinyinwǒ
Radical戈
Strokes7
UnicodeU+6211
Character type象形
Theme人伦

Six languages, one character

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

English I, me I, me (first person); originally a weapon.
Français je, me Je, me (1re pers.); à l'origine une arme.
Español yo, me Yo, mí (1ª pers.); originalmente un arma.
العربية أنا أداة للسلاح ثم ضمير المتكلم.
Русский я, меня Я, меня (1-е л.); изначально оружие.

Common words

  • 我们wǒ menwe
  • 我wǒI