ZHIZHI 知止 · LEARN CHINESE DAILY
务
affair; business; must
wù
5 strokes · 夂 (go) + 力 (strength) — exerting effort on tasks · HSK 2
务 in traditional Chinese
務
What 务 is made of
夂 + 力 = 务
夂trailing footsteps
力strength; power; force lì
Where 务 comes from
The traditional form 務 showed a lance, a hand striking, and strength 力 — pressing forward with force. Simplified 务 keeps the striding foot and the muscle: business is what you push through.
务 in Chinese culture
服务 'service' hangs on signs across China: 服务员 is how you call a waiter. 务必 means 'must without fail' — the character still carries its old imperative muscle. 家务 is housework, the business of home.
Example
服务 fúwù — service
这家饭店服务非常好。
Zhè jiā fàndiàn fúwù fēicháng hǎo.
This restaurant's service is excellent.
How to remember it
March 夂 plus muscle 力 — the BUSINESS you must push through.
服务员! shouted across a restaurant is perfectly polite in China — summoning service loudly is expected, not rude. Whispering for the check gets you nowhere.
Same sound, different tones
Words unlocked by 务
服务 fúwù
service
服务员 fúwùyuán
waiter / server
家务 jiāwù
housework
Related characters
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