素 sù — plain, white · English

素

sù

plain, white

At a glance · 素

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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.

小篆从糸从𠂹（垂），会意未染色的白绢。隶楷作「素」。

What the sketch shows

Origins & notes

「素」本指白色生绢，引申为本色、向来。

Structure

会意字，从糸从𠂹，象未染之白丝。

At a glance

Pinyinsù

Radical糸

Strokes10

UnicodeU+7D20

Character type会意

Theme颜色

Six languages, one character

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

English plain, white Plain white silk; natural, usual.

Français uni, blanc Soie blanche unie; naturel, habituel.

Español liso, blanco Seda blanca lisa; natural, usual.

العربية أبيض نقيٌّ، بسيط حرير أبيض أو بسيط أو اعتيادي.

Русский белый, простой Белый некрашеный шёлк; простой, привычный.

Common words

朴素pǔ sùplain
素sùplain

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