About
The character 柴 is structured as a phono-semantic compound with the semantic component 木, meaning wood, positioned below the phonetic component 此, which suggests its pronunciation. Its original meaning centered on firewood or gathered brush used for fuel, reflecting a direct association with combustible wood. Over time, the term acquired a metaphorical layer, coming to describe extreme thinness in comparisons such as "骨瘦如柴", where the imagery of a dry stick of wood conveys emaciation, while its primary sense remained tied to wooden fuel.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
妈妈去市场买了柴火。
我们用柴火点燃了篝火。
这辆卡车使用柴油发动机。
柴米油盐是日常生活所需。
他正在后院用斧子劈柴。
山区许多人家仍然烧柴取暖。
这种柴电混合动力系统很高效。
古老的柴窑烧制出的瓷器别有韵味。