竹
zhú
bamboo
At a glance · 竹

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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.

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

竹字甲骨文象两枝竹叶下垂之形,本义为竹子;金文、小篆承之。

What the sketch shows

竹 Object sketch

Origins & notes

竹本义为竹子、竹类植物。

Structure

竹为象形字,描摹竹叶纷披之状。

At a glance

Pinyinzhú
Radical竹
Strokes6
UnicodeU+7AF9
Character type象形
Theme植物

Six languages, one character

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

English bamboo Zhu is a pictograph of bamboo leaves, meaning bamboo.
Français bambou Zhu est un pictogramme de feuilles de bambou, signifiant bambou.
Español bambú Zhu es un pictograma de hojas de bambú, significa bambú.
العربية خيزران تشو رسم تخطيطي لأوراق الخيزران، ويعني الخيزران.
Русский бамбук Чжу — пиктограмма листьев бамбука, означает бамбук.

Common words

  • 竹子zhú zibamboo
  • 竹林zhú línbamboo grove