The Calligrapher — Yǔ Yì 庾翼
Jin general and calligrapher of cursive script who once rivaled Wang Xizhi.
Jin calligrapher (), master of cursive script — known for 与王羲之齐名. Jin dynasty
Cultural Story
此 meant this, the thing right here at hand. The Shuowen reads it as a person pointing to what is near, the opposite of distant 彼. Classical speakers used 此 to anchor a sentence in the present moment, and historians wrote 此地为家 to say here is home. To know 此 was to be sure of where and when you stood.
Common words & phrases
- 因此 therefore · thus
- 如此 so · like this
- 此外 besides · in addition
- 此时 now · at this time
- 此地 here · this place
- 从此 from now on · henceforth
Read the story behind the character
Daily Chinese relies on 此 at every turn: we say 因此 therefore after a reason, describe things 如此 so or like this, and add 此外 besides for extra points. A clock shows 此时 now, a map marks 此地 here, and a vow begins 从此 from now on. From a text message to a farewell, 此 pins our words to the here and the now.
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Purchase delivers the original SVG of this glyph, brushed by Yǔ Yì 庾翼, ready to place on skin, paper, or screen.