刷 (shuā), meaning “to brush” or “to swipe,” has a fascinating origin that reflects ancient cleaning tools and practices.

Here’s a breakdown of its components and evolution:

• 尸 (shī): This component originally depicted a person in a reclining position, possibly representing a corpse or someone resting. In this context, it’s believed to have symbolized something lying flat or spread out, like a surface being cleaned.
• 巾 (jīn): This component means “cloth” or “fabric.” It suggests the material used for cleaning or wiping.
• 刂 (dāo): This component represents a “knife” or a sharp tool. It’s likely that it was added to signify the action of scraping or brushing, as ancient cleaning tools might have involved scraping or brushing actions to remove dirt.

Combining these elements, the original meaning of 刷 likely depicted the act of cleaning a surface with a cloth or a brush-like tool. This emphasizes the action and tools involved in the cleaning process.

Over time, the meaning of 刷 expanded to include various related actions:

• To brush: This is the most common meaning today, referring to cleaning or applying something with a brush.
• To swipe: This modern usage arose with the advent of technology, referring to the action of swiping a card or a screen.
• To paint: This meaning retains the connection to the original image of a brush being used on a surface.
• To rinse: This implies cleaning with water, possibly by brushing or scrubbing.

The character 刷 is used in various contexts related to cleaning and applying:

• 刷牙 (shuā yá): To brush teeth
• 刷卡 (shuā kǎ): To swipe a card
• 刷油漆 (shuā yóuqī): To paint

The evolution of 刷 from a depiction of cleaning a surface to a versatile verb for various brushing and swiping actions demonstrates the adaptability of Chinese characters. Its history reminds us of the tools and actions involved in cleaning and how these actions have been extended to new technologies and contexts.