[[Characters]] #Characters \ #Anatomy-and-Living \ #Facial-Actions # 见 jiàn to see; to perceive ## Components [[冂 (jīong)]] [[儿 (ér)]] ## Meaning In modern usage, the character "见" still retains its fundamental meaning of "to see" or "to perceive." It is commonly used in expressions related to sight or observation, such as "看见" (kànjiàn), meaning "to see" or "to notice," and "见面" (jiànmiàn), meaning "to meet" or "to encounter." Additionally, it can also refer to understanding or perception, as in "见解" (jiànjiě), which means "opinion" or "viewpoint." Overall, "见" continues to play a vital role in expressing various aspects of perception and encounter in contemporary Chinese language and culture. ## History The character "见" originally means "to see" or "to perceive." It's composed of the elements "儿" (child) and "目" (eye), suggesting the act of seeing through the eyes. In ancient times, "见" referred specifically to the act of seeing or observing. For instance, in《说文》, it's described as "视地" (to look at something). Later, it extended to signify encounters or meetings, as seen in《左传•桓公元年》, where it talks about meeting someone on the road. Additionally, it can imply understanding or awareness, as in modern contexts where people share their perspectives or opinions (见解). ## Evolution ### Oracular Script ![[见 jiàn - ora.svg]] ### Bronze Script ![[见 jiàn - bronce.svg]] ### Seal Script ![[见 jiàn - sello.svg]] ### Clerical Script ![[见 jiàn - cle.svg]] ### Regular Script ![[见 reg.svg]]