(shū) — father's younger brother; husband's younger brother; (as a polite title) used for a man about one's father's age

Definition

A kinship and address term for a man of one's father's generation. Within the family it specifically means 'father's younger brother' (husband's younger brother by marriage); used as a polite street title (张叔) for any man roughly one's father's age.

noun
father's younger brotherhusband's younger brother(as a polite title) used for a man about one's father's age
Measure word ·

Examples

  • Wǒ shū shì yī shēng.
    My uncle (father's younger brother) is a doctor.
  • Tā shū qù nián jié hūn le.
    His uncle (husband's younger brother) got married last year.
  • Zhāng shū, nín màn zǒu.
    Uncle Zhang, take care.

Origin

Compound ideograph
六书liùshū
会意huìyì

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

  • shūwooden stake
  • yòuhand

The shape has 又 (a hand) and 尗 (a wooden stake), showing a hand putting the stake into the ground.

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