孰

Formed from 享 (to enjoy, offer in sacrifice), depicting the preparation of offerings, combined with 丮 (to grasp, hold). Over time, 丮 transformed into 丸 (pill-like shape), giving the modern form.

In Shuowen Jiezi (説文解字 shuōwén jiězì), it was mistakenly analyzed as a phonetic compound borrowing from 𦎧, but the 羊 element in 𦎧 is otherwise unattested in early forms, so this is seen as an error.

Originally meant “to cook, to prepare food”, but later extended through phonetic borrowing to the interrogative sense “who/which”.

To distinguish, the form 熟 (ripe, cooked) with 火 (fire) was created for the “to cook” meaning.

Semantic range:

- who, which person;

- which (among alternatives);

- what (interrogative, literary).

숙위(孰爲) — who is it? who is regarded as…

숙호(孰好) — which is better?

숙시(孰是) — who/what is right?

숙불(孰不) — who does not…? (rhetorical)

In Confucian texts and other classical writings, 孰 frequently appears in rhetorical or reflective questions, often to contrast human behavior or moral choice:

孰能無過 — “Who can be without fault?” (Analects)

孰若仁者 — “Who equals the benevolent person?”

Thus, 孰 often frames moral reflection, emphasizing the contrast between the ideal and reality, inviting self-examination rather than literal inquiry.