最 zuì — most, utmost · English

最

zuì

most, utmost

At a glance · 最

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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.

小篆从冃从取，会意聚而居首（一说从曰）。本指军功第一。隶楷作「最」。

What the sketch shows

Origins & notes

「最」本指聚合居首，引申为极、第一。

Structure

会意字，从冃从取，表示聚而冠首。

At a glance

Pinyinzuì

Radical曰

Strokes12

UnicodeU+6700

Character type会意

Theme状态

Six languages, one character

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

English most, utmost Most, extreme; first (in merit).

Français le plus, extrême Le plus, extrême; premier (en mérite).

Español el más, extremo El más, extremo; primero (en mérito).

العربية أكثر، أقصى أكثر أو أقصى أو الأول.

Русский самый, наиболее Самый, наиболее; первый (по заслугам).

Common words

最zuìmost
最后zuì hòulast

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