尺
one of the characters used to represent a musical note in gongche notation, 工尺譜|工尺谱[gong1 che3 pu3]; a Chinese foot; one-third of a meter; a ruler; a tape-measure; one of the three acupoints for measuring pulse in Chinese medicine
Closest English meanings
ruler·foot·measure·length
The Calligrapher — Shěn Chuánshī 沈传师
Tang running-script master prized by Mi Fu for his lean, lofty style.
Tang calligrapher (), master of running script — known for 《柳州石》，米芾推重. Tang dynasty
Cultural Story
尺 depicts a hand measuring, an ancient foot-rule; the Shuowen calls it a measure of length. Carpenters checked 尺寸 (dimensions) by the 尺子 (ruler), and a 直尺 (straightedge) drew true lines. The 卷尺 (tape measure) unwound for cloth, and 尺码 (size) sorted a tailor's patterns by the inch.
Common words & phrases
- 尺寸 size · measurement · dimension
- 尺子 ruler · measuring rule
- 直尺 straightedge · ruler
- 卷尺 tape measure · rolling ruler
- 尺码 size · measurements
Read the story behind the character
You grab a 尺子 (ruler) for homework and a 卷尺 (tape measure) to hang curtains. The 直尺 (straightedge) keeps diagrams clean, and online you pick a shoe 尺码 (size). Tailors match 尺寸 (size, measurement) to the body, and the humble 尺 still rules every cut from a school desk to a factory floor.
Own this character
Purchase delivers the original SVG of this glyph, brushed by Shěn Chuánshī 沈传师, ready to place on skin, paper, or screen.