使
to make; to cause; to enable; to use; to employ; to send; to instruct sb to do sth; envoy; messenger
Closest English meanings
make·send·envoy·cause
The Calligrapher — Shǐ Wéizé 史惟则
Tang master of seal and eight-division clerical script (bafen); one of Four Tang clerical masters.
Tang calligrapher (), master of seal script/八分 — known for 《大智禅师碑》. Tang dynasty
Cultural Story
使 is the envoy and the cause. The 史记 sends 使者 along the Silk Road; a king's 使命 is to bear a message of war or peace. The 论语 says rites 使 people orderly. To 使得 a thing happen is to move it from will to fact. A 大使 still represents a state abroad.
Common words & phrases
- 使用 use · employ
- 使者 envoy · messenger
- 使命 mission
- 迫使 force · compel
- 使得 cause · make
- 大使 ambassador
Read the story behind the character
The app 使用 a fingerprint to unlock; an 大使 meets the press. A deadline 迫使 the team to work late, and a note 使得 the plan change. At the desk a 使者 delivers a package. Causing, employing, and representing all pass through this busy official word.
Own this character
Purchase delivers the original SVG of this glyph, brushed by Shǐ Wéizé 史惟则, ready to place on skin, paper, or screen.