夙 (sù) - Early morning & long-standing, long-cherished
夙 · sù
Early morning;
long-standing, long-cherished;
diligent, hardworking.
Early morninglong-standing, long-cherisheddiligent, hardworking.
Usage highlights
LongEarly morningInnate talentDiligent day and nightEarly to rise and late to rest
Usage & contexts
Examples
- He has a long-cherished wish (夙愿).
- She gets up early every day (夙兴夜寐).
- This is a long-standing problem (夙弊).
- He is diligent and hardworking (夙夜匪懈).
Collocations
- Long-cherished wish(夙愿)
- Early morning(夙夜)
- Long-standing enmity(夙仇)
- Innate talent(夙慧)
- Long-standing illness(夙疾)
- Diligent day and night(夙夜匪懈)
Idioms
- Rise early and sleep late(夙兴夜寐)
- Diligent day and night without slacking(夙夜匪懈)
- Long-cherished wish finally fulfilled(夙愿得偿)
Cultural background
FAQ- Originally meant 'early morning' in oracle bone inscriptions, depicting the moon and a person working at dawn.
- Extended to mean 'long-standing' or 'long-cherished' through the concept of something persisting from early times.
- Often used in classical literature to describe diligence and perseverance.