印刷

The Chinese word 印刷 (yìnshuā) for "printing" is a compound of two characters: 印 (yìn) and 刷 (shuā). The character 印 originally meant "seal" or "stamp", and was used to refer to the process of making an impression on paper or other materials. The character 刷 originally meant "to brush" or "to sweep", and was used to refer to the process of applying ink to a surface. Over time, the two characters came to be used together to refer to the process of printing, which involves both making an impression and applying ink.The earliest known examples of printing in China date back to the 2nd century AD, when seals and stamps were used to print designs on cloth and paper. By the 6th century AD, woodblock printing had been developed, which allowed for the mass production of books and other printed materials. Woodblock printing remained the primary method of printing in China until the 19th century, when Western-style printing presses were introduced.Today, 印刷 is the standard Chinese word for "printing", and is used in a variety of contexts, including newspapers, magazines, books, and packaging.