须 (xū) — must, have to (formal, literary)
Definition
须 (xū) is a formal, written-only 'must' — it never appears in everyday speech. 须 is stronger than 应该 ('should') and more literary than the colloquial 得 děi (must/have to). As a noun, 须 also means beard/whiskers (written for 胡子).
verb
musthave to (formal, literary)
Examples
- 须。Cǐ shì xū lì jí chǔ lǐ.This matter must be dealt with immediately.
- 须。Shēn qǐng zhě xū tí gōng wán zhěng cái liào.Applicants must provide complete materials.
- 须。Rù guǎn xū chū shì zhèng jiàn.You must present your ID to enter the museum.
Origin
Pictograph六书liùshū
象形xiàngxíngA 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.
Appears in
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.