奇速英语

汉字“游”：三千载之语义流转

The Chinese character you(游) is for travel, imagination, and going with the flow. Over three millennia ago, the character you(游) first appeared with a simple pictograph (象形图画): a child holding a flag. According to the 2nd-century Analytical Dictionary of Chinese Characters, this image reflects the character’s original meaning: the fluttering tassels (飘带) of flags in the wind. In the Spring and Autumn period (770 – 476 BCE), the character was adorned (修饰) with the 氵(shuǐ, water), which later evolved into its current form, with its meaning also expanded to include floating or submerging in water. Accordingly, it not only refers to “swimming,” but also to a segment of water, such as the upper reaches of the Yellow River.

Over time, the character you(游) expanded beyond its aquatic (水生的) roots to include land travel. It’s used in phrases like yóumù(游牧), referring to the traditional lifestyle of herders who move with the seasons. The term yóumín(游民) typically refers to people without a fixed job and is often seen negatively, while yóuzǐ(游子) means children who have left their parents and hometown and are always in their family’s minds. As the Tang Dynasty poet Meng Jiao wrote in “Song of the Parting Son”: “From the threads a mother’s hand weaves, A gown for parting son is made.”

Idioms like yóushān wánshuǐ(游山玩水) and yúnyóu sìhǎi(云游四海) celebrate the spirit of adventure. During such expeditions, people often compile travel notes (游记yóujì) recording their personal insights and cultural observations. Meanwhile, yóuxué(游学) is a centuries-old tradition that emphasizes the belief that true learning extends beyond the classroom walls.

In addition to physical tours, one can take “journeys” without moving or even consciousness. For instance, sleepwalking is mèngyóu(梦游), and shényóu(神游) is to let one’s mind drift to distant lands or spaces they cannot physically visit. Through imagination, one can even shényóu tàikōng(神游太空). The character yóu (游) has taken on new dimensions as it has sailed into the contemporary era.