求 qiú — seek, request · English

求

qiú

seek, request

At a glance · 求

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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.

甲骨文、金文象有毛的兽皮之形，象形，本为「裘」字（皮衣）。后假借为寻求、请求。隶楷作「求」。

What the sketch shows

Origins & notes

「求」本指皮衣（后作裘），假借为寻求、乞求。

Structure

象形字，象毛皮之形；后假借为寻求、要求。

At a glance

Pinyinqiú

Radical水

Strokes7

UnicodeU+6C42

Character type象形

Theme动作

Six languages, one character

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

English seek, request To seek, request, demand.

Français chercher, demander Chercher, demander, requérir.

Español buscar, pedir Buscar, pedir, requerir.

العربية يطلب، يسعى يطلب أو يسعى وراء.

Русский искать, просить Искать, просить, требовать.

Common words

要求yāo qiúrequire
求qiúseek

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