杉

shān

彡 + 木

Frequency#2718

Definitions

shān (noun) China fir; cedar

shā (noun) China fir; cedar

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 木 represents the meaning and 彡 represents the sound.

Semantic: 木 Phonetic: 彡

About

The character "杉" is a phono-semantic compound formed by the semantic component "木" representing tree or wood and the phonetic component "彡" which historically indicated its pronunciation, consistently denoting specific coniferous trees like cryptomeria and cedar from its earliest documented use. Its etymology is based on this structural combination, and the meaning has not shifted significantly over time, remaining exclusively associated with these arboreal types. The components "木" and "彡" in the standard form directly correspond to their original functions within the character's design.

Etymology Hide

Clerical Western Jin dynasty (266-316 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

山上有很多杉树。

Shān shàng yǒu hěn duō shān shù.

There are many fir trees on the mountain.

杉木可以用来做家具。

Shān mù kě yǐ yòng lái zuò jiā jù.

Fir wood can be used to make furniture.

这片杉林非常茂密。

Zhè piàn shān lín fēi cháng mào mì.

This fir forest is very dense.

水杉是一种古老的树种。

Shuǐ shān shì yī zhǒng gǔ lǎo de shù zhǒng.

Metasequoia is an ancient tree species.

云杉和冷杉都是常见的针叶树。

Yún shān hé lěng shān dōu shì cháng jiàn de zhēn yè shù.

Spruce and fir are both common coniferous trees.

我们在杉树下搭了一个帐篷。

Wǒ men zài shān shù xià dā le yī gè zhàng peng.

We set up a tent under the fir tree.

由于过度砍伐，这片杉林面积减少了。

Yóu yú guò dù kǎn fá, zhè piàn shān lín miàn jī jiǎn shǎo le.

Due to over-logging, the area of this fir forest has decreased.

保护野生杉树种群对于维持生态平衡至关重要。

Bǎo hù yě shēng shān shù zhǒng qún duì yú wéi chí shēng tài píng héng zhì guān zhòng yào.

Protecting wild fir tree populations is crucial for maintaining ecological balance.

Related Characters

Component: 彡

Component: 木

杉