About
The character "杞" is structured with the wood radical 木 paired with the phonetic component 己, forming a phono-semantic compound that originally denoted a specific tree, the wolfberry or medlar. Etymologically, the semantic element 木 categorizes it within plant life, while 史 provides sound guidance, though the phonetic correlation has shifted over time. Historically, the meaning extended from the tree itself to serve as the name for an ancient state, Qi, and subsequently as a surname derived from that state. This semantic expansion is reflected in classical writings where "杞" refers to both the botanical entity and the geopolitical domain. In contemporary usage, while still indicating the tree, the character is primarily encountered in the idiom "杞人忧天", where it references the state's populace within a metaphorical context about unfounded fears.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我买了一些枸杞。
枸杞对眼睛有益。
他在院子里种枸杞。
杞柳可以用来编篮子。
杞县在河南省。
我们计划去杞县旅游。
枸杞的红色果实很鲜艳。
由于杞县盛产枸杞，当地经济得以发展。