“Togetherness” 与 in Chinese writing
Pictorial analysis, easily memorize how to write this character
Last updated: 24 Feb 2021
This article is part of a compendium of 3500 characters.
(This article has been converted into a course at this Facebook group.)
Please ensure you know these foundational concepts before reading this article:
- Radicals: indexing radicals, abbreviated radicals, improvised radicals
- Writing strokes: our 7 Stroke Types nomenclature
(“right down throw press dot rise hook”) - Character construction principles: pictorial, semantic, phonetic, and combinations thereof.
Keep these 2 reference sources at hand when you read this article:
- 汉字部首表 (Table of Indexing Chinese Character Components)
(We will refer to this as “Table of Radicals”.) - 通用规范汉字表 (Table of General Standard Chinese Characters)
(We will refer to this as “Table of Characters”.)
Character construction
This character ‘与’ (character 34) has many meanings that are conveniently centered around a single theme: “to participate in, to involve”.
This character originally looked like 2 hooks joining (hooking) each other, forming a “reciprocal structure”.
This “reciprocal structure” is clearly evident in the current form that is ‘与’.
Coalescing the bottom “right” stroke of the upper-left hook structure and the top “right” stroke of the lower-right hook structure (see blue highlight below), we arrive at the current form ‘与’.
The “hook” in stroke “down-right-down-hook” for ‘与’ is a calligraphic convention (see red highlight below), and should not be taken to be an intentional destruction of the perfect symmetry in this “reciprocal structure”.
The old Traditional form of the character even has 4 hands raising this “reciprocal structure” together, clearly depicting a participation between people.
Semantics and Word Constructions
The main theme of ‘与’ is “to participate in, to involve”. By that theme, we can easily derive the various meanings of ‘与’.
We’ll explore the more common meanings of ‘与’ used in everyday communication.
To be with
The meaning closest to the central theme is the meaning “to be with”, literally equivalent to the English coordinating conjunction “and”. We see that in phrases like “人与人” (interpersonal, literally “person and person”), “人与人的关系” (literally “interpersonal relationship”).
(TODO: Link to ‘的’, a possessive particle that functions like the apostrophe ‘s’ in English, such as in “people’s relationship” and “somebody’s shoe”.)
However, the conjunction “and” (‘与’) is only used in writing or in formal speech. In informal speech, we say “和” (also “and”).
(TODO: Link to ‘和’.)
To give
One meaning of ‘与’ is “to give”, but is almost never used on its own, except in pithy idioms such as “与人方便” (literally “give people convenience”).
(See “Pictorial construction” for ‘人’. TODO: link to “方便”.)
Very often, it is used as a preposition like “to” in “to (recipient)”, such as “传与公众” (“transmitted to the public”).
The proverb “与人为善”.
The proverb “与人为善” today has a “modernized (?)” and clearly simplified meaning: “to be helpful, kind and compassionate”.
By today’s semantics, this proverb’s word construction is likely thus:
- ‘与’ means “to be together with” (people, 人)
- ‘为’ means “to do” (good, 善)
TODO: Write about ‘为’, which is super loaded with multiple meanings.
This version of “与人为善” is the only version you’ll need to know for everyday communication.
The original meaning of “与人为善” is a lot more nuanced, and is a fascinating window into the collectivism of Chinese culture, starting with the fact that ‘与’ in this case means “to be in agreement and harmony with (people)”.
Chinese collectivism is opposed to individualism in that Chinese culture prizes harmony and non-violence. As per my article on True Love, I personally believe that words of affirmation — often a self-fulling prophecy for good behavior — is better than unpolished admonishment. (No, Chinese culture isn’t a utopia; it’s up to you and me to build a better world. Somebody hook me up with Awkwafina? Big fan. Will watch this movie because of her.)
In other words, ‘与’ in this case would mean “to praise where due, or at least to seek to affirm”. The proverb then means “to encourage and affirm people is to do good”.
You can use this version of “与人为善” if you’re trying to impress your prospective in-laws in China!
(Note: Ping me if you encounter cases of ‘与’ that aren’t covered above. I’ll add more explanation here.)
