About
The traditional form 棲 is a phono-semantic compound, pairing the semantic radical 木 (mù, tree) with the phonetic component 妻 (qī). The simplified form 栖 replaces the right side with 西 (xī, west), while the left-side wood radical remains. The 木 radical indicates the core meaning: originally, the act of birds alighting and resting in trees. This sense later broadened to encompass human dwellings, temporary lodging, and the general idea of inhabiting or residing in a place. The structure continues to use the wood radical to convey the fundamental concept of settling in a physical location.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
鸟儿栖息在树枝上。
许多动物栖息在这片森林里。
他为一家公司提供栖身之所。
青蛙是典型的两栖动物。
战争迫使难民四处栖居。
这个山洞曾是古人的栖居地。
保护区是野生动物的重要栖息地。
他过着一种栖栖遑遑、居无定所的生活。