Zhuang Sawndip character

𭨡 is a Zhuang Sawndip character for “book” or “written character.”

Sawndip is a traditional, character-based way to write Zhuang, using forms adapted from Chinese characters. The Zhuang word represented by 𭨡 is written saw in Latin letters. Its reading shares a common origin with Chinese 书, “book” or “writing,” but 𭨡 does not replace 书 in ordinary Chinese text.

Zhuang writers adapted Chinese character forms to record their own language. Sawndip's beginnings are often placed in the Tang era or earlier; another historical comparison dates its formation no later than the 12th century. Two steles (upright stones with inscriptions) dated 682 and 697 show Chinese-character writing alongside local nonstandard forms. They show the script's historical setting, not the first use of this exact sign.

Why is 𭨡 unfamiliar outside Zhuang writing?

Sawndip is a specialized Zhuang script with regional variation.

A dictionary of ancient Zhuang characters published in 1989 records this reading.

Sawndip spellings vary: writers and regions may choose different characters for the same Zhuang word.

What does it mean when someone sends 𭨡?

Alone, 𭨡 points to Zhuang writing; context gives its reading.

Do not translate it straight as ordinary Mandarin: this character represents a Zhuang word. In 𭨡𮄫, it begins the name Sawndip; in 𭨡倱, it begins sawgun, the Zhuang term for Chinese or Han characters.