[[Characters]]
#Characters \ #Anatomy-and-Living \ #States-and-Conditions
# 困 kùn
to be surrounded; difficult
## Components
[[囗 (weí)]]
[[木 mù]]
[[木 (mù)]]
## Meaning
In modern usage, the character 困 (kùn) primarily means "to be surrounded" or "to be trapped." It can also mean "to be in difficulties" or "to be in a predicament." Additionally, it can refer to feeling sleepy or drowsy. Finally, it can also be used as an adjective to mean "difficult" or "hard."
## History
The character 困 (kùn) is a compound ideogram. It consists of the radical 囗 (weí), representing "enclosure," and the radical 木 (mù), representing "tree," indicating a tree surrounded by a wall and unable to grow freely.
Its original meaning is "to surround" or "to enclose." Today, it has been simplified to 因 (yīn).
## Evolution
### Oracular Script
?
### Bronze Script
![[困 kùn - bron.svg]]
### Seal Script
![[困 kùn - sello.svg]]
### Clerical Script
![[困 kùn - cle.svg]]
### Regular Script
![[困 kùn - reg.svg]]