周

Alternative forms

 * In certain typefaces and/or at small font sizes, the edges of the 土 component touch the enclosing 冂 component, producing a resemblance to the radical 用.

Glyph origin
- indicating the idea of using words skillfully to express oneself, thereby conveying the meaning of being meticulous or detailed.

Etymology 1

 * to encircle, to circle, to surround, everywhere, curve (in the road)
 * Unclear. Possibly connected with 🇨🇬 ~, ~ , or 🇨🇬 or 🇨🇬


 * to help
 * Unclear. Maybe same word as as words for "help, aid" often derive from the notion "next to, or around, a person" (for analogies,  from  and  from ).


 * Alternatively, note 🇨🇬 (ibid.). Even so, also note 🇨🇬, which in turn is from ); if 🇨🇬 and 🇨🇬 were related, then 🇨🇬 cannot be related to.


 * dynasty's name
 * Attested in the Huayuanzhang East Inscription HYZ 327.1 (transliterated and translated by Schwartz, 2019 )


 * A 周方白 (Zhōufāng bó, “Elder of Zhou region”), likely, was mentioned in Oracle Bone Inscriptions H11:82 and H11:84 (Lin, 1995)


 * Hargett (2021) states that and  derived from names of "places that the rulers and people of those eras regarded as their homeland or cultic centers"; the  was among "areas or regions along the frontier borders of Shang, traditionally regarded as enemy territory".

Definitions

 * 1) to circle; to encircle
 * 2) circle; circumference
 * 3) whole
 * 4) to extend everywhere
 * 5) thorough; complete; comprehensive
 * 6)  side; periphery
 * 7)  to suit
 * 8) to help (e.g. financially); to relieve
 * 9)  to reprimand with authority; to catch
 * 10) ; circuit; revolution
 * 11)  Zhou Dynasty (1046—256 BCE)
 * 12)  (557—581), one of the  in China
 * 13)  (690–705), established by
 * 14)  (951–960), one of the  in China
 * 1)  side; periphery
 * 2)  to suit
 * 3) to help (e.g. financially); to relieve
 * 4)  to reprimand with authority; to catch
 * 5) ; circuit; revolution
 * 6)  Zhou Dynasty (1046—256 BCE)
 * 7)  (557—581), one of the  in China
 * 8)  (690–705), established by
 * 9)  (951–960), one of the  in China
 * 1) to help (e.g. financially); to relieve
 * 2)  to reprimand with authority; to catch
 * 3) ; circuit; revolution
 * 4)  Zhou Dynasty (1046—256 BCE)
 * 5)  (557—581), one of the  in China
 * 6)  (690–705), established by
 * 7)  (951–960), one of the  in China
 * 1)  Zhou Dynasty (1046—256 BCE)
 * 2)  (557—581), one of the  in China
 * 3)  (690–705), established by
 * 4)  (951–960), one of the  in China
 * 1)  (557—581), one of the  in China
 * 2)  (690–705), established by
 * 3)  (951–960), one of the  in China
 * 1)  (951–960), one of the  in China

Usage notes
This variant form is the name of the second tetragram of the Taixuanjing (𝌇), as listed in the ancient text.

Definitions

 * 1)  penis

Kanji

 * 1) circumference
 * 2) circuit
 * 3) lap

Etymology
From.

Counter

 * 1) laps or circuits

Proper noun

 * 1) Zhou

Usage notes
Chu is the original Hán-Việt reading of this character and related ones according to Thiều Chửu. However, naming taboos for Nguyễn Phúc Chu led to the reading Châu being used instead for this character, especially in the south of Vietnam, based on a tradition of u/âu sound swaps. Currently, both readings are in use.