厕cè

厕

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Simplified · Today

简体

Simplified Chinese

Simplified form (簡體). 厕 (cè, "toilet/restroom") emerged by streamlining the traditional 廁, which paired the shelter radical 厂 with 则 (rule/standard) — originally meaning "to assist" or "stand beside," the character shifted to denote the place where one "assists" nature's call. Its visual form remains straightforward, combining the lean-to radical with a simplified phonetic element.

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Shuowen

厕 (cè) is formed by the radical 厂 (a cliff or shelter) indicating a place, combined with the phonetic component 则 (a rule or law); together they depict a private shelter used for excretion, the original meaning being a latrine or toilet. The character thus reflects ancient toilet facilities that were often simple structures built against a cliff or under a roof, giving the visual of a secluded spot for bodily relief. In later usage, 厕 also extended to mean “to be present among” by analogy of being in a place.

Pinyin

cè· HSK 1

厕cè

Character evolution

Shuowen

Pinyin