髭 (zī) — mustache (hair above the upper lip)
Definition
A bound literary word for 'mustache' (hair above the upper lip), almost always paired with 须 as 髭须 in classical or formal writing. It is a bound form and cannot stand alone.
bound form
mustache (hair above the upper lip)
Examples
- 髭。Tā liú le yì cuō zī xū.He grew a tuft of mustache and beard.
- ，髭。Gǔ dài huà xiàng zhōng, guān yǔ de zī xū hěn cháng.In ancient portraits, Guan Yu's mustache and beard are very long.
- 髭。Zhè wèi lǎo rén de zī xū yǐ jīng huā bái le.This old man's mustache and beard have already turned gray.
Origin
Sound + meaning六书liùshū
形声xíngshēngMost 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
須須xūbeard
Sound part声符shēngfú
此
此cǐ髭zī
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.
The modern 髭 pairs 髟 (hair) with 此 (sound); an older form used 須 (beard) with 此.
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