处

處
chǔ
#206 most
frequent character
dwell, live, be in a position of
verb

Character breakdown

Source: Make Me a Hanzi.

处 shows a person (処 without 几) resting beside a table (卜, from 几). That gave the first sense, 'resting and stopping'. For the chù reading, it grew to 'place'. For chǔ, it grew to 'to live', 'to exist', and 'to manage'.

Drawn as: person resting; table

处 as a component in other characters

sound1 character
咎

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Example Sentences

我住在这个城市已经五年了。
wǒ zhùzài zhègè chéngshì yǐjīng wǔnián le 。
I have dwelled in this city for five years.
他在乡下生活得很快乐。
tāzài xiāngxià shēnghuó déhěn kuàilè 。
He lives very happily in the countryside.
他们现在处在一个非常重要的位置。
tāmen xiànzài chǔ zài yígè fēicháng zhòngyào de wèizhì 。
They are currently in a very important position.

Same Characters, Different Readings

处chù
place, location, spot, point

Words with similar meanings

居住jūzhù
to reside
More formal than '处', commonly used in official contexts.
生活shēnghuó
to live
Broader meaning that includes the act of living and lifestyle.

Homophones

储chǔ
(bound form) to store up
础chǔ
foundation, base
楚chǔ
distinct, clear, orderly, pain

Words Starting With 处

处理chǔ lǐ
to handle; to treat; to deal with; to process
处分chǔ fèn
to discipline sb; to punish; disciplinary action; to deal with (a matter)
处境chǔ jìng
plight; unfavorable situation
处置chǔ zhì
to handle; to take care of; to punish

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