宅 zhái residence

源How it came to be

A roof, with the 'take root' block under it for the sound. There is no ancient form of this shape. It names a house somebody is settled in, not just any building.

用How it is used

• A residence/dwelling - 住宅 (zhùzhái) residence, 宅院 (zháiyuàn) a house with a courtyard, 豪宅 (háozhái) mansion.
• Modern slang (from Japanese otaku): 宅 = a homebody/shut-in, 宅男 (zháinán) male shut-in, 宅在家 (zhái zài jiā) to stay holed up at home.

字Characters built with 宅

• 诧 surprised

词Words with 宅

• 住宅zhùzháiresidenceHSK 6