索 suǒ — rope, seek · English

索

suǒ

rope, seek

At a glance · 索

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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、金文从糸从八（或廾）从幺，会意以手搓丝成绳。隶楷作「索」。

What the sketch shows

Origins & notes

「索」本指大绳，引申为求取、搜寻、尽（萧索）。

Structure

会意字，从糸从八从幺，象绞丝成绳。

At a glance

Pinyinsuǒ

Radical糸

Strokes10

UnicodeU+7D22

Character type会意

Theme器物

Six languages, one character

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

English rope, seek A rope; to seek, demand.

Français corde, chercher Une corde; chercher, exiger.

Español cuerda, buscar Una cuerda; buscar, exigir.

العربية حبل، يطلب حبل أو يطلب أو يبحث.

Русский верёвка, искать Верёвка; искать, требовать.

Common words

索suǒrope
线索xiàn suǒclue

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