jīn

now

Original meaning: 

closed mouth

Depicts a closed mouth. Upside-down . The meaning "now" is a phonetic loan.

Evolution

今 Oracle script (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle script

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

Bronze script

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

Seal script

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

Clerical script

Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
今 Regular script Modern

Regular script

Modern
Definitions

 

jīn

now, today, modern era; now; the present time; current; contemporary; this (day, year etc)

Most common words with 今
Freq.
Word
Meaning

今天

today

今晚

tonight

今年

this year

今日

today

today

Component uses

Sound component in 18 characters (8 verified)

Iconic component in 2 characters (2 verified)

Remnant component in 2 characters (2 verified)