宅 zhái residence
residence; dwelling; home
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.
用法
- 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.