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shuài

Character evolution

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Simplified · Today

Shuowen

Commander. In oracle bone script (甲骨文) from the Shang dynasty (c. 1200 BCE), 帅 is a pictograph of a flag (巾) attached to a pole, symbolizing a commander’s banner leading troops. The original meaning is “commander” or “to lead”, referring to a military leader who bears the standard. The character is written this way because it depicts a flag on a pole, the visual emblem of authority and command.

Pinyin

shuài· HSK 1