操
cāo
conduct
At a glance · 操

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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.

操 Evolution of the glyph
  1. 操 Object sketch
    Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seen
  2. 操 Oracle bone
    Oracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCE
  3. 操 Seal script
    Seal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCE
  4. 操 Clerical script
    Clerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CE
  5. 操 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.

「操」从手喿声,小篆从手操声,形声清晰。

What the sketch shows

操 Object sketch

Origins & notes

「操」本义为把持、操守,引申品德、操行、操作。

Structure

从手、喿(cāo)声,形声字,手表义类,喿表音,本为持守、节操。

At a glance

Pinyincāo
Radical扌
Strokes16
UnicodeU+64CD
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 conduct conduct, run, control, manage
Français conduite / intégrité Conduite, intégrité. «坚持雅操» : la droiture, la vertu.
Español conducta / integridad Conducta, integridad. «坚持雅操»: la rectitud, la virtud.
العربية سلوك / نزاهة سلوك، نزاهة. «坚持雅操»: الاستقامة، الفضيلة.
Русский поведение / честность Поведение, честность. «坚持雅操»: прямота, добродетель.

Common words

  • 节操jié cāointegrity
  • 操cāohold