疏 shū to neglect
How it came to be
A foot beside the birth block, a child arriving head first. Getting through and opening up: clearing a channel is the oldest use, and thinning out and neglecting both came from it.
How it is used
- Sparse/loose and to unclog/neglect - the opposite of 密 (dense): 稀疏 (xīshū) sparse, 疏散 (shūsàn) to disperse/evacuate, 头发很密 (tóufa hěn mì) thick hair.
- 疏忽 (shūhu) means to overlook/be negligent; 疏远 (shūyuǎn) to grow distant/estranged; 疏导 (shūdǎo) / 疏通 (shūtōng) to unblock/channel (traffic, emotions). 生疏 (shēngshū) means rusty/unfamiliar.