昼 zhòu — daytime · English

昼

zhòu

daytime

At a glance · 昼

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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.

Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seen
Oracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCE
Seal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCE
Clerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CE
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.

繁体「晝」从畫（或在日下），本义为日中到日落间的白日。小篆从日，者声（晝）。简体「昼」从尸从日。会意/形声。

What the sketch shows

Origins & notes

本义为白日、白天。

Structure

会意兼形声，从日，表日光时段。

At a glance

Pinyinzhòu

Radical日

Strokes9

UnicodeU+663C

Character type会意

Theme天文

Six languages, one character

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

English daytime Daytime or daylight.

Français jour Le jour ou la lumière du jour.

Español día El día o la luz del día.

العربية نهار النهار أو ضوء النهار.

Русский день День или дневной свет.

Common words

昼zhòuday
昼夜zhòu yèday and night

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