寿 (shòu) — (bound form) longevity; long life; (bound form) birthday (in compounds like 寿辰, 寿面); (bound form) used in burial-related compounds (e.g., 寿衣, 寿材)
Definition
A literary bound form meaning 'longevity / long life.' Almost never used alone — it appears in set compounds for birthdays (寿辰) and funeral goods (寿衣, 寿材).
bound form
longevitylong lifebirthday (in compounds like 寿辰, 寿面)used in burial-related compounds (e.g., 寿衣, 寿材)
Examples
- ，。Zhù nín jiàn kāng cháng shòu, xìng fú píng ān.Wish you healthy longevity, happiness and peace.
- 寿。Jīn tiān shì nǎi nai de bā shí shòu chén.Today is grandma's 80th birthday.
- 。Lǎo rén qù shì hòu chuān le shòu yī.After the elderly person passed away, they wore burial clothes.
Origin
Compound ideograph六书liùshū
会意huìyìTwo or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.
This origin belongs to the traditional form 壽; 寿 is its simplified writing.
- 耂耂lǎoold
- 𢏚𢏚𢏚
The traditional form 壽 uses 耂 for old and a sound part 𢏚, plus added decorative marks; the simplified 寿 is a later shorthand.
Appears in
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