yǔzhòu: 宇宙 - Universe, Cosmos

Keywords: yuzhou, 宇宙, Chinese universe, cosmos in Chinese, Chinese philosophy, space and time in Chinese, learn Chinese space, HSK 5 vocabulary, metaverse in Chinese, 元宇宙

Summary: Discover the profound meaning of 宇宙 (yǔzhòu), the Chinese word for “universe” or “cosmos.” This entry explores not just its modern scientific use but also its deep philosophical roots, where the characters themselves define the universe as the combination of all space (宇) and all time (宙). Learn how to use this HSK 5 term in everyday conversation, from discussing sci-fi movies to expressing the concept of a “metaverse” (元宇宙) in Chinese.

Pinyin (with tone marks): yǔzhòu

Part of Speech: Noun

HSK Level: HSK 5

Concise Definition: The universe; the cosmos, encompassing all of space, time, matter, and energy.

In a Nutshell: 宇宙 (yǔzhòu) is the direct equivalent of the English word “universe.” However, it carries a more poetic and philosophical weight. It's not just a word for “everything out there”; it's a concept built from the two fundamental pillars of existence: space (宇) and time (宙). To say 宇宙 is to evoke the entirety of reality, from the beginning of time to its end, and across every corner of space.

宇 (yǔ): This character originally referred to the eaves of a house, the shelter that covers you. From this idea of “coverage,” it expanded to mean all of space, the canopy of existence in every direction (up, down, north, south, east, west).

宙 (zhòu): This character relates to the passage of time. It represents the entire timeline of existence, from the distant past, through the present, and into the endless future.

Together, 宇宙 (yǔzhòu) literally combines “all of space” and “all of time.” This ancient Chinese definition beautifully predates the modern scientific concept of a unified “spacetime.” It defines the universe not as a static place, but as the complete stage of reality where everything happens.

The term 宇宙 (yǔzhòu) is deeply rooted in Chinese philosophy, particularly Taoism. Ancient texts like the *Huainanzi* (淮南子) define the characters separately: “四方上下曰宇，古往今来曰宙” (sì fāng shàng xià yuē yǔ, gǔ wǎng jīn lái yuē zhòu), meaning “The four directions, above and below, is called 宇; all that has passed and all that will come is called 宙.” This highlights a holistic worldview where space and time are inseparable.

Comparison to Western Concepts: The English “universe” comes from Latin *universus*, meaning “all turned into one” or “whole.” The word “cosmos” comes from the Greek *kosmos*, meaning “order” or “adornment.” While all three terms refer to the same thing, their origins reveal different cultural focuses. The Western terms emphasize wholeness and order, whereas the Chinese term 宇宙 emphasizes the fundamental components of space and time as the building blocks of reality. This reflects a philosophical preoccupation with the dynamic, flowing nature of existence.

世界 (shìjiè) - The world. Refers to our planet and human society, existing within the 宇宙.

太空 (tàikōng) - Outer space. The physical region outside of Earth that is part of the larger 宇宙.

天地 (tiāndì) - Heaven and Earth. A more traditional or poetic term for the world or the universe, often used in a philosophical context.

时空 (shíkōng) - Spacetime. A modern, scientific term that directly translates the two concepts that are philosophically embedded in 宇宙.

元宇宙 (yuán yǔzhòu) - Metaverse. A modern technological concept built upon the word 宇宙.

星球 (xīngqiú) - Celestial body (e.g., planet, star). The objects that exist within the 宇宙.

星系 (xīngxì) - Galaxy. A system of stars and planets, a major component of the 宇宙.

苍穹 (cāngqióng) - The firmament; the vast blue sky. A poetic and literary term for the sky, representing the visible part of the 宇宙 from Earth.