兽
shòu HSK7

beast

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approved by Marcus Ngai · Nov 2, 2026, 10:54 PM · Reviewed by Marcus Ngai on Nov 2, 2026, 10:54 PM

for the etym. desc. too

Changed fields: hint

Original meaning: to hunt

Simplified form of 獸. Depicts using a hunting tool (单) and a dog (犬) to hunt and capture wild animals. 口 was later added for unknown reasons. Based on the original meaning "to hunt", now written as 狩. The meaning of this character has shifted over time and now means "beast". The traditional component 犬 was deleted for simplification.

Components

单
单 Iconic component
dān single

Depicts a hunting tool.

口
口 Unknown component
kǒu, kou mouth

The purpose of this component is unclear.

犬
犬 Deleted component
quǎn dog

The traditional component 犬 was deleted for simplification.

Sources

Character origin
漢語多功能字庫李学勤《字源》p.1270黃德寬《古文字譜系疏證》p.616-617
Readings & variants
Unicode