dānshàn

single

Simplified form of . Pictograph of a hunting or military trap constructed from two rocks and a net. The current meaning "single" is a phonetic loan.

Evolution

单 Oracle script (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle script

(~1250-1000 BC)
单 Bronze script Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze script

Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
单 Seal script Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal script

Shuowen (~100 AD)
单 Clerical script Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical script

Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
单 Traditional script Modern

Traditional script

Modern
单 Simplified script Modern

Simplified script

Modern
Definitions

() 

dān

single, individual, only; lone; bill; list; form; single; only; sole; odd number; CL:|[gè]

() 

Shàn

surname Shan

Most common words with 单
Freq.
Word
Meaning

简单

simple

bill

单位

unit (of measure)

名单

list (of names)

单独

alone

Component uses

Meaning component in 2 characters (0 verified)

Sound component in 13 characters (1 verified)

Unknown component in 1 character (0 verified)