宙 (zhòu) — (bound form) time, the temporal dimension of the universe (only in compounds, chiefly 宇宙)

Definition

Bound form meaning 'time / the temporal dimension', paired with 宇 ('space') in 宇宙 to mean 'universe' (space-time). Never used alone.

bound form
time, the temporal dimension of the universe (only in compounds, chiefly 宇宙)
Easily confused

Examples

  • 。
    Kē xué jiā zhèng zài tàn suǒ yǔ zhòu de qǐ yuán.
    Scientists are exploring the origin of the universe.
  • 。
    Rén lèi duì yǔ zhòu de liǎo jiě hái hěn yǒu xiàn.
    Human understanding of the universe is still very limited.
  • 。
    Zhè běn xiǎo shuō jiǎng shù le yí gè píng xíng yǔ zhòu de gù shi.
    This novel tells the story of a parallel universe.

Origin

Sound + meaning
六书liùshū
形声xíngshēng

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
宀宀miánroof
Sound part声符shēngfú
由
由yóu宙zhòu
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

宙 combines 宀 (roof) with 由, which gives the sound. The reference says it originally meant the farthest place accessible by boat or vehicle and later vast space.

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