何须 (hé xū) — why must; there is no need to (rhetorical adverb)

Definition

A formal, literary adverb meaning 'there's no need to' — used in written Chinese and proverbs, far more elevated than the plain 不必 or 不用 used in speech. It frames the clause rhetorically, often to dismiss worry or effort.

adverb
why mustthere is no need to (rhetorical adverb)

Examples

  • ，何须。
    Zhè jiàn shì yǐ jīng zuò wán le, nín hé xū zài fèi xīn.
    This matter is already done; you need not trouble yourself further.
  • ，何须。
    Tā jì rán yǐ jīng dào qiàn, wǒ men hé xū zài shuō.
    Since he has already apologized, we don't need to say more.
  • ，何须。
    Rén shēng kǔ duǎn, hé xū dān xīn nà me duō.
    Life is short; there's no need to worry so much.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

何héwhy
须xūneed

何 (why) and 须 (need) together ask why there is any need.

Characters in this word

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

The old form of 何 drew a person carrying something on their shoulder. If the carried thing was a 戈, the 人 and 戈 parts together showed that picture.

Open 何 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 須; 须 is its simplified writing.

The simplified 须 stands for more than one traditional character. In most words (必须) it is 須; in others it is 鬚.

  • 彡彡shānhair
  • 頁頁yèhead

The traditional form 須 shows 頁 (head) with 彡 (hair) beside it, drawing a head with hair on the side, a picture of a beard or whiskers.

Open 须 →

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