shēn

deep

Depicts a person exploring inside a cave ().

Components
穴 iconic component

  Iconic component

xué

  

cave

◎ iconic component

  Iconic component

  

characterless component

Depicts a person exploring inside a cave. The modern form looks like the unrelated character .

Evolution

罙 Oracle script (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle script

(~1250-1000 BC)
罙 Oracle script (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle script

(~1250-1000 BC)
罙 Bronze script Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)

Bronze script

Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)
罙 Seal script Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal script

Shuowen (~100 AD)
罙 Regular script Modern

Regular script

Modern
Definitions

 

shēn

deep

Component uses

Meaning component in 1 character (1 verified)

Sound component in 3 characters (2 verified)