叔 (shū) - uncle (father's younger brother) & term of address for a man slightly younger

叔Tone 1

shū ｜ 8 strokes ｜ radical: 又

上姝

叔 · shū

uncle (father's younger brother);

term of address for a man slightly younger than one's father;

third among brothers;

archaic term for 'harvest' or 'gather'.

uncle (father's younger brother)term of address for a man slightly youngerthird among brothers

Usage highlights

UncleFather's younger brotherBrotherThird among brothersUncle and nephewPaternal uncle

Synonyms

  • 叔父— father's younger brother
  • 叔叔— uncle (common address)
  • 季父— youngest paternal uncle

Antonyms

  • 伯— father's elder brother
  • 侄— nephew (opposite relationship)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • My uncle (叔叔) is coming to visit.
  • He is the third son (叔子) in his family.
  • This is my uncle's house (叔父的家).
  • In ancient texts, 叔 could mean 'to harvest' (叔粟).

Collocations

  • Uncle(叔叔)
  • Father's younger brother(叔父)
  • Brother-in-law (husband's younger brother)(叔伯)
  • Third among brothers(叔季)
  • Uncle and nephew(叔侄)
  • Paternal uncle(叔伯)

Idioms

  • Treat with the respect due to an elder brother(伯仲叔季)
  • Brothers in perfect harmony(伯埙仲篪)
  • The relationship between uncle and nephew(叔侄之情)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In traditional Chinese kinship systems, 叔 specifically refers to father's younger brother, distinguished from 伯 (father's elder brother).
  • Used in the brotherly order 伯仲叔季 to denote the third son.
  • In ancient usage, 叔 also meant 'to harvest' or 'gather', derived from its component 尗 meaning 'beans'.

FAQ