[[Characters]] #Characters \ #Anatomy-and-Living \ #Foot-Actions # 过 guò to spend; to go over ## Components [[辶 (chuò)]] [[寸 cùn]] [[寸 (cùn)]] ## Meaning The character "过" (guò) has several meanings in modern usage, including: 1. **To pass through or go over**: This refers to the action of moving from one place to another. - Example: **经过** (jīngguò) – to pass by or go through. 1. **To cross**: It can indicate crossing over something, such as a street or a barrier. - Example: **过马路** (guò mǎlù) – to cross the street. 1. **To spend**: This can refer to the expenditure of time or money. - Example: **花费过多** (huāfèi guòduō) – to spend too much. 1. **To exceed**: It can indicate surpassing a limit or going beyond something. - Example: **过度** (guòdù) – excessive or overdone. In summary, "过" retains its original sense of movement while also encompassing ideas related to crossing, spending, exceeding boundaries. ## History The character "过" (guò) represents the idea of passage and leaving traces along the journey of life, where every experience is a valuable part of one's existence. "过" is a phono-semantic compound. Its original meaning refers to the concepts of passing or going from one place or time to another. In ancient inscriptions, the character featured "骨" (gǔ) at the top, which served as the phonetic component, and "止" (zhǐ) at the bottom, which indicated a relation to footsteps. In small seal script, the left side transformed into "是" (shì), further emphasizing its connection to movement. Today, "过" not only signifies passing through but also conveys notions of exceeding or making mistakes, as seen in terms like **过度** (guòdù) meaning "excessive" and **过错** (guòcuò) meaning "error." ## Evolution ### Oracular Script ? ### Bronze Script ![[过 bronce.svg]] ### Seal Script ![[过 sello.svg]] ### Clerical Script ![[过 cle.svg]] ### Regular Script ![[过 reg.svg]]