出

Exit

Level 10

How this kanji evolved

Explore each form from the oldest known stage to today.

The character 出 depicts a footprint stepping out of a cavity or enclosure, originally representing the meaning 'to exit' or 'to go out.' In oracle bone script, it showed a foot (止) leaving a depression, symbolizing departure. Over time, the form simplified: the foot component evolved while the enclosure became more abstract, eventually standardizing as the modern 出. This character also extends to meanings like 'to produce' or 'to emit,' reflecting the action of bringing something forth. Arrived in Japan: The character 出 was introduced to Japan during the early cultural exchanges with China, likely between the 5th and 6th centuries CE, when Chinese writing and Buddhism were systematically transmitted to Japan via Korean scholars and Chinese texts.

Reading reference

Onyomi (音読み)

シュツ

Kunyomi (訓読み)

でだ

Related Vocabulary

to run out, to rush out, to start running, to begin to run, to break into a run

memories, recollections, reminiscence

to recall, to remember, to recollect

to take out, to produce, to pick out, to fetch, to retrieve

to go out (e.g. on an excursion or outing), to leave, to depart, to start, to set out, to be about to leave, to be just going out

to take out, to get out, to put out, to reveal, to show, to submit (e.g. thesis), to turn in, to publish, to make public, to send (e.g. letter), to produce (a sound), to start (fire)

to leave, to exit, to go out, to come out, to get out, to leave (on a journey), to depart, to start out, to set out, to move forward, to come to, to get to

to meet (by chance), to come across, to run across, to encounter, to happen upon, to meet (e.g. of rivers, highways, etc.), to emerge and engage (an enemy)

bleeding, haemorrhage, hemorrhage, bleeding money, red ink, selling below cost, casualties, losses, sacrifices

exit, way out, outlet, vent