准zhǔn

准

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简体

Simplified Chinese

Simplified form (簡體). 准 (zhǔn, "standard, accurate") pairs the ice radical 冫 with 隹, a short-tailed bird — the simplified character borrowed from older cursive variants rather than the traditional 準. The traditional form depicted water flowing level and even, suggesting precision, with 隹 perhaps evoking a bird flying true — a character built on the ancient idea that what is level is what is right.

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Shuowen

准. Composed of 冫 (the ice radical, suggesting smoothness and evenness) on the left and 隹 (a short-tailed bird) on the right. The original oracle bone form depicted a bird in level, steady flight—flying at a consistent, unvarying height—whence derives the meaning of "level, accurate, standard." This imagery of uniform, precise movement later extended to mean "to permit, to allow," as one grants approval only to that which meets the standard.

Pinyin

zhǔn· HSK 2

准zhǔn

Character evolution

Shuowen

Pinyin