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Zi:简

From Wenlin Dictionaries

简(F​簡) [jiǎn] simple/uncomplicated (简​单 jiǎndān); 简​直 simply/really; 简​便 handy; 简​体​字 simple form character

One monosyllabic entry in The ABC Chinese-English Comprehensive Dictionary (namespace Ci):

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The Shuōwén Seal form of 简/​簡(​𥳑) jiǎn ‘bamboo strips/slips (writing medium)’ (​簡​牒: 简​牍; ​文​书, ​公​文) combines ​竹 (zhú) ‘bamboo’, and ​间/​間(​閒) jiàn/jiān ‘gap/between’ (phonosemantic): strips of split bamboo bound together, with string/space between; cf. ​册/​冊(​𠕋) cè ‘bundle/book’ (​策).
    Note: Formerly wr. ​𥳑, with ​閒, and later wr. ​簡, with ​間 (in which ​日, not ​月); today mainly 简/​簡 jiǎn ‘simple’ (see below), replacing the old meaning 简/​簡(​𥳑) jiǎn ‘bamboo strips/slips’ except in historical contexts.
    Note: 简 jiǎn ‘bamboo strips/slips (​竹简); book/writing; (select/polished/concise/short/brief) passage/letter/note (fitting on a single bamboo strip; cf. ​柬); short/simple (简​单)’.
    Note: 简 jiǎn ‘select/concise’, formerly wr. ​柬 jiǎn, cf. ​拣/​揀; ​柬 jiǎn ‘note/card’ (​柬​帖).
    Note: Writings on single/bound bamboo strips were called ​簡 jiǎn; multiple strips/bundles tied/bound together (with silk/leather) made a ​策 cè ‘bundle/book’, formerly wr. ​册/​冊(​𠕋).
    Compare: ​编/​編 biān ‘bind together bamboo slips; bound bamboo-strip book/text’; cf. ​韦​编 wéibiān ‘bamboo strips tied/bound together with leather thongs’, ​丝​编 sībiān ‘bamboo strips bound with silk cord’ (“The Chinese Book: Its Evolution and Development”, ​吳​光​清).
    Compare: ​签/​簽 qiān ‘write/sign on bamboo slips’, formerly wr. ​佥/​僉, and also ​籤.
    Compare: ​㶕/​𤄒 jiǎn ‘rinse/wash (rice/etc.)’ (in a plaited bamboo strainer).
►references: Karlgren:AD375; Hànyǔ Dà Zìdiǎn:5.2975.12; Bǐshùn Guīfàn:280.0.04
►components: ​竹​间​​门​日
►Cantonese: gaan/
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Unicode: U+7B80
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