四sì

四

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Simplified · Today

简体

Simplified Chinese

Simplified form (簡體). 四 (sì, "four") remains unchanged from traditional writing — the ancient pictograph once depicted a nose with breath, its four strokes suggesting nostrils or the four directions. It appears as a component in 泗 (tears, literally "nose water"), 驷 (four horses) and 肆 (to display).

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Shuowen

四, the oracle bone pictograph depicts a nose: a horizontal line crossed by two vertical strokes representing the nostrils and bridge. Originally meaning 'nose', the shape was later repurposed for the number four because the four strokes mirrored the numeral. The Shuowen notes '四, 象鼻之形', reflecting its origin as a nose glyph.

Pinyin

sì· HSK 1

四sì

Character evolution

Shuowen

Pinyin