出chū

出

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Simplified · Today

简体

Simplified Chinese

Simplified form: 出 (chū, "to go out"). The oracle bone script depicts a foot (止) emerging from a cave or pit (凵), literally showing a foot stepping out — a visual so intuitive that even modern eyes can read it instantly. This ancient pictogram has remained largely unchanged through the centuries, preserving its clear message of movement from within to without.

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Shuowen

出 (chū) is composed of a foot (止) above an opening (口), picturing a foot stepping out of a doorway. In oracle bone script the character shows a foot (止) moving upward out of a square (口) that represents a door or cave mouth, signifying the action of leaving. The original meaning of "to go out" is conveyed by this visual combination, and the modern form preserves the foot and opening elements.

Pinyin

chū· HSK 1

出chū

Character evolution

Shuowen

Pinyin