[[Characters]] #Characters \ #Anatomy-and-Living \ #Hand-Actions # 取 qǔ take, get ## Components [[耳 (ěr)]] [[又 yòu]] [[又 (yòu)]] ## Meaning Today, the character "取" primarily means: **To Take; To Obtain**: It is used to indicate the action of taking or obtaining something. In modern usage, it commonly appears in words and phrases such as: - 取得 (qǔdé): To obtain; To acquire - 取消 (qǔxiāo): To cancel; To abolish - 取款 (qǔkuǎn): To withdraw money ## History The character "取" is a compound ideogram, originally representing the action of capturing. In oracle bone script, it consisted of a hand (又) on the right side and a shape resembling an ear on the left side, indicating the action of cutting off someone's ear with a hand. In ancient times, after winning a battle or hunting, people would cut off the ears of enemies or animals to count their achievements and claim rewards. "取" also had the meaning of "marrying a wife". Today, "取" primarily means "to take; to obtain". For example, "取款" (qǔkuǎn) means "to withdraw money". In the "Shuowen Jiezi": "取, to capture land. From 叉 (chā, forked object), from 耳 (ěr, ear). In the "Zhouli": "The captured prey takes the left ear." In the "Simafu": "Offering the position." The "position" refers to the ear that was cut off. ## Evolution ### Oracular Script ![[取 qǔ - oracular.svg]] ### Bronze Script ![[取 qǔ - bronce.svg]] ### Seal Script ![[取 qǔ - sello 1.svg]] ### Clerical Script ![[取 qǔ cle.svg]] ### Regular Script ![[取 qǔ - reg.svg]]