[[Characters]] #Characters \ #Clothing-and-Accessories \ #Society-and-Culture # 着 zhe，zháo，zhuó，zhāo ongoing action or state (particle); to touch; to wear; to move ## Components [[目 mù]] [[目 (mù)]] [[羊 yáng]] [[羊 (yáng)]] ## Meaning Nowadays, the character 着 (zhe, zháo, zhuó, zhāo) has multiple meanings depending on its pronunciation: - **zhe** (着) is used as a particle indicating an ongoing action or state (e.g., 坐着, "sitting"). - **zháo** (着) means "to touch" or "to succeed in" (e.g., 睡着, "fall asleep"). - **zhuó** (着) means "to wear" or "to apply" (e.g., 着装, "clothing"). - **zhāo** (着) refers to a move or tactic in a game (e.g., 招着, "a move in chess"). The original meaning of "to wear" (zhuó) is still used, but the character now covers a broader range of meanings related to contact, action, or state. ## History The character 着 (zhe, zháo, zhuó, zhāo) is a compound ideogram. It combines 羊 (sheep) and 目 (eye), symbolizing that sheep's skin can be made into clothing, which covers the body. This suggests the idea of something being visible or perceivable. The original meaning of the character was "to wear." ## Evolution ### Oracular Script ? ### Bronze Script ? ### Seal Script ? ### Clerical Script ![[着 cle.svg]] ### Regular Script ![[着 reg.svg]]