zhòu

curse

Variant of . Derived from , with the (show) component being replaced by (mouth) component when the meaning extended to "curse". Depicts a kneeling person () opening their mouth () to pray for disaster to happen on someone.

Components
口 meaning component

  Meaning component

kǒu

  

mouth

口 iconic component

  Iconic component

kǒu

  

mouth

Depicts a mouth open to pray.

卩 iconic component

  Iconic component

jié

  

person kneeling

Depicts a person kneeling.

Evolution

呪 Oracle script (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle script

(~1250-1000 BC)
呪 Regular script Modern

Regular script

Modern
Definitions

 

zhòu

curse, damn, incantation

() 

zhòu

variant of [zhòu]

Most common words with 呪
Freq.
Word
Meaning

诅咒

to curse

curse

咒语

spell

咒骂

to damn

符咒

charm