dānshàn

single

Original meaning: 

hunting tool

Pictograph of a hunting tool or weapon constructed from rocks tied to a tree branch. The current meaning is a phonetic loan.

Evolution

單 Oracle script (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle script

(~1250-1000 BC)
單 Bronze script Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze script

Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
單 Seal script Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal script

Shuowen (~100 AD)
單 Clerical script Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical script

Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
單 Regular script Modern

Regular script

Modern
Definitions

() 

dān

single, individual, only; lone; bill; list; form; single; only; sole; odd number; CL:|[gè]

() 

Shàn

surname Shan

Most common words with 單
Freq.
Word
Meaning

简单

simple

bill

单位

unit (of measure)

名单

list (of names)

单独

alone

Component uses

Meaning component in 1 character (0 verified)

Sound component in 13 characters (2 verified)

Iconic component in 1 character (1 verified)

Unknown component in 1 character (0 verified)