兴 is a Chinese character with 6 strokes, radical 八 (eight), HSK 1 on the new exam.
Etymology
Oracle-bone origin
兴 is the simplified form of 興. The oracle-bone and bronze forms show four hands at the corners cooperatively lifting a central object, often interpreted as a tray, vessel, or sedan-like platform. The image is of collective raising or hoisting.
Form evolution
Bronze forms make the four hands and central object highly visible. Seal script regularised the hands into symmetric components surrounding a central 同-like element. Clerical script flattened the top and bottom hand pairs into the 廾 and 八 shapes seen in 興, and the modern simplification 兴 retains only a schematic top with 八 below, discarding most of the original structure.
How the meaning evolved
The original sense of 'lift up together' extended metaphorically to 'rise, flourish, prosper', giving 兴盛 (thriving) and 复兴 (revive). A second reading xìng developed the meaning 'mood, interest, enthusiasm', as in 高兴 (happy) and 兴趣 (interest). Both readings trace back to the core image of something being raised up, whether a physical object or one's spirits.
Cultural note
The two tones of 兴 trip up many learners: xīng for 'rise, flourish' (兴奋, 兴起) and xìng for 'interest, mood' (高兴, 兴趣). The simplification is particularly aggressive here since 興 was a visually rich character, and calligraphers still prefer the traditional form for its balance.
Mnemonic
Four hands lifting together — excitement
Basic info
| Stroke count | 6 strokes |
| Radical | 八 (#12: eight) |
| New HSK exam | Recognise at HSK 1 |
| Frequency | #410 most common |
Example sentences
Words containing 兴
Related characters
Similar meaning (abstract)
On the new HSK 1 exam
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Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.