Where does “Semu” come from?

Semu (English) comes from Proto-Mon-Khmer sməʔ, from Pali samā, from Sanskrit सम, from Proto-Indo-Iranian samHás, from Proto-Indo-European somHós, from Proto-Indo-European sem- — together, one.

Semu (English): A caste in China established under the Yuan Dynasty

Definitions

  1. A caste in China established under the Yuan Dynasty

Ancestry of “Semu”, step by step

Semu traces back through 3 separate lines of ancestry.

via Proto-Mon-Khmer sməʔ

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Proto-Mon-Khmersməʔ
2Palisamāyear; masculine/neuter ablative singular of sama;...
3Sanskritसमsame, equal, alike; equivalent to, like,...
4Proto-Indo-IraniansamHássame, equal
5Proto-Indo-EuropeansomHóssame, alike
6Proto-Indo-Europeansem-together, one

via Latin sumus

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Latinsumus
2Proto-Italicezomto be
3Proto-Indo-Europeanh₁ésmifirst-person singular present indicative of...
4Proto-Indo-Europeanh₁ēs-to be

via Old Tupi sem

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Old Tupisemto exit; to leave; to get out
2Proto-Tupi-Guarani*t͡ʃemto leave; to exit
Every word from Proto-Indo-European sem-Every word from Proto-Indo-European somHósEvery word from Proto-Indo-Iranian samHás