ZHIZHI 知止 · LEARN CHINESE DAILY
受
to receive; to endure
shòu
8 strokes · 爫 (hand above) + 冖 + 又 (hand below) · HSK 3
Where 受 comes from
Two hands passing a tray between them — one gives, one receives. The character kept the receiving end: accept, and by extension endure what's handed to you.
受 in Chinese culture
接受 accept, 受不了 'can't take it anymore' — everyday exasperation, 感受 feelings (what you receive inside). 受欢迎 well-received = popular.
Example
接受 jiēshòu — to accept
天气热得让人受不了。
Tiānqì rè de ràng rén shòubuliǎo.
The heat is unbearable.
How to remember it
A tray passed hand to HAND — you RECEIVE what comes, and ENDURE it.
受 with 扌 becomes 授 'to confer' — the same tray, viewed from the giving hand.
Same sound, different tones
Words unlocked by 受
接受 jiēshòu
to accept
感受 gǎnshòu
feeling
Related characters
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