Tangut Ideograph-18146

Dictionaries disagree: “exert” and “bashful.”

The Li Fanwen Tangut index links entry L2008-1670 to 努, “exert” or “strive.” A separate mapping to Nevsky’s 1960 Tangut dictionary links the same entry to 腆, “bashful” or “shy.” These are dictionary glosses, not two chat meanings; the surrounding Tangut text determines which fits.

The Tangut script was created under Western Xia rule around 1036 for state-building and cultural work, including Buddhist translations. Its characters were constructed using principles inspired by Chinese writing, but it is a separate script for the Tangut language. Surviving texts include official, private, literary, and religious writing. Tangut remained in use after Western Xia fell, then eventually left daily use.

Why does 𘅆 show as a box?

A font without Tangut coverage is the first thing to check.

𘅆 is encoded text, but it needs a font that supports Tangut. Without one, an app may show a blank box or replacement mark; fonts can draw the same character differently. Check U+18146 before assuming the character itself changed.

How do I type 𘅆?

Enter U+18146 with a Unicode input method.

An ordinary keyboard has no standard dedicated key for this historical character. In an editor that accepts hexadecimal Unicode entry, type U+18146. A Tangut font fixes display; it does not add an input method.