椿

chūn
春 + 木
Frequency#4197

Definitions

chūn Chinese toon (Toona sinensis); tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima); (literary metaphor) father

Etymology

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

Semantic: 木 Phonetic: 春

About

The character "椿" is structured as a phono-semantic compound with the semantic component 木, indicating its relation to trees, and the phonetic component 春, which guides its pronunciation. Initially, it specifically denoted the Toona sinensis tree, commonly known as Chinese mahogany, which was cultivated for both its practical uses and culinary applications. Over time, its meaning expanded from a purely botanical designation to incorporate symbolic associations, particularly in classical literature where the tree's enduring nature led to its metaphorical use representing fathers and longevity, exemplified by its pairing in the term "椿萱" where it stands for the paternal figure alongside "萱" for the maternal.

Example Sentences Hide

这是一棵椿树。

Zhè shì yī kē chūn shù.

This is a toon tree.

香椿炒鸡蛋很好吃。

Xiāngchūn chǎo jīdàn hěn hǎochī.

Stir-fried Chinese toon with eggs is very delicious.

春天椿树发芽了。

Chūntiān chūn shù fāyá le.

In spring, the toon tree sprouts.

我家院子里有棵大椿树。

Wǒ jiā yuànzi lǐ yǒu kē dà chūn shù.

There is a big toon tree in my yard.

奶奶用香椿做了一道菜。

Nǎinai yòng xiāngchūn zuò le yī dào cài.

Grandma made a dish using Chinese toon.

椿树的叶子可以食用。

Chūn shù de yèzi kěyǐ shíyòng.

The leaves of the toon tree are edible.

在乡村，很多人种植香椿。

Zài xiāngcūn, hěn duō rén zhòngzhí xiāngchūn.

In the countryside, many people grow Chinese toon.

椿木是一种优质的木材。

Chūn mù shì yī zhǒng yōuzhì de mùcái.

Toon wood is a type of high-quality timber.

Related Characters

Component: 春

蠢 蝽 䲠 惷 瑃 鰆

Component: 木

样 机 相 果 权 格 术 根 极 林 集 查 李 标

Example Words

香椿